Festival of Trees, how do you sign up to decorate one?

I know it's only April...but my wife has been after me to find out how to get a tree in the Festival of Trees this year. Last December we just went and looked, and she's decided she wants to do one for the church group.

A few things I can't seem to find out... Is it still at the Conference Center? Who do you call to get on the list for a tree, and do they hand you a tree or do you bring your own? And is it all donated, or do you pay something to enter?

Also a question for anybody who went to the auction last year. It seemed to run long to me... we left before the end because my knees were done. Was parking a mess for everybody or just us? We ended up way out past the overflow and walked in the cold.

I've got a whole tote of ornaments from yard sales over the years that never got used, so I'd like to put them to work. Anybody who's done it, what should we bring?

Last I knew it was still at the Conference Center, but I'd call the Chamber to be sure before your wife gets her heart set on anything. They're the ones who'd have the sign-up list, and I'd ask them about the tree too. I don't remember if the trees were supplied or if people brought their own, and I'd hate to steer you wrong.

On parking, it wasn't just you. We got there around the time the auction got going and ended up out past the overflow too. Earlier in the day is a lot easier, and if your knees are iffy, drop your wife at the door and then go park. The auction did run long for us. We stayed for maybe half of it.

If you're bringing a tote of ornaments, I'd throw in a tree skirt and a spare strand or two of lights. Somebody always ends up with a bulb out. Good on her for taking it on for the church group.

Thanks Wayne... drop her at the door is a good idea, she'll like that better than walking in from the overflow too. I'll call the Chamber this week and see what they say about the tree. If they hand you one that's one thing, if you bring your own that's a whole different trip.

Good call on the tree skirt and spare lights. I've got a few strands in the garage from a yard sale years back, no telling if they still work... I'll plug them in before I trust them.

Half the auction is about what I figured. We'll plan on going early and leaving when the knees say so.

Plugging them in first is smart. If a strand is half dark, I'd just toss it. A fresh set of LEDs doesn't cost much and it beats standing there with a bulb tester in a crowded room.

When you hear back from the Chamber, post what they say about the tree. I'd like to know too, and somebody else will probably wonder the same thing before December.