Holiday Activities and a Dazzling Display of Trees, Wreaths, and Gift Baskets Awaits at Summit Charter School
CASHIERS, NC – November 16, 2024 – The Summit Charter School Foundation is excited to announce that the 2024 Cashiers Festival of Trees will open on Friday, November 29 at 370 Mitten Lane, Cashiers, NC. The festive fundraiser – accessible both in-person and online – will run through Saturday, November 30. Doors are open to the public 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
The Cashiers Festival of Trees is a family-friendly event on the Cashiers-Highlands plateau during Thanksgiving weekend. Guests get in the holiday spirit by viewing and bidding on decorated Christmas trees and décor with accompanying gifts and experiences, revel in a variety of holiday activities, create free personalized children’s crafts, celebrate literacy in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storytime Nook, enjoy a pop-up O.P. Taylor’s Teddy Bear Workshop, scavenger hunt, watch rivalry weekend football games in the Gameday Lounge, and shop one-of-a-kind gifts in the Gift Zone. Cashiers Valley Real Estate serves as Presenting Sponsor and Ingles Markets as the Media Sponsor.
While raising money for Summit Charter School is the primary focus of the event, the Summit Charter School Foundation will once again spread the holiday spirit of giving: when a nonprofit decorates a tree, wreath or gift basket, 80% of the item’s sale will return to the participating organization, creating a collaborative initiative to benefit fellow charities and their worthy causes. 2024 participating charities include: Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC, Cashiers Historical Society, Merrie-Woode Foundation, The Village Green, Albert Carlton - Cashiers Community Library, Cashiers Valley Preschool, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Cashiers Friends of the Library, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation, Mountain Theatre Company, The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts, Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, Pisgah Legal Services, Cashiers Valley Garden Club, Cashiers Cares, Boys and Girls of the Plateau, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Theatre Company, Glenville Cashiers Rescue Squad, Cashiers Glenville Fire Department, Hudson Library–a branch of Fontana Regional Library, and The Hudson Library of Highlands NC Inc.
"The Festival of Trees has grown over the past three years into a beloved holiday tradition that brings families and the entire community together," say the 2024 co-chairs Denice Dunn, Celeste Pratt, and Carrie Snoey. "As organizers, we are honored to foster the spirit of giving—not only to our school, but to the many nonprofits across the plateau. It’s a powerful way to inspire our children to give back and make a meaningful impact."
Businesses, nonprofits, and individuals have created traditional and themed trees, wreaths, gift baskets, artwork, unique displays, and more to be enjoyed during the event. A full list of supporters can be viewed here or on www.summitschool.org. An additional sampling of this year’s 170 submissions include Lynn Monday’s House of Design, The Club at High Hampton, Spruce Interiors, Zoller Hardware, Care Bears, Brookings Anglers, Tractor Supply, Cedar Creek Club, and designs by 15 classrooms from Summit Charter School. Cashiers Firewood's submission features a Santa wagon pulled by five scale-model Can-Am Defenders, all crafted from firewood and currently on display at the school. The winning bidder will receive two cords of seasoned firewood, delivered and stacked
“The support from the community has been truly inspiring in year four of this event. We extend immense gratitude to all of our designers, benefactors, corporate sponsors, and devoted volunteers. We can’t wait to celebrate everyone’s hard work and generosity as we open the day after Thanksgiving. Come experience the magic of the holidays at the Summit Center as you view all the festive trees, décor and so much more! Items will be up for view for the duration of the event, both in-person and online, so we invite those near and far to join us. Get in the spirit of the season and give back!” conclude the co-chairs.
Pertinent event information is included below:
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN • Friday, November 29 - Saturday, November 30, 10 AM - 5 PM
WHERE • 370 Mitten Lane, Cashiers, NC
ENTRY TICKETS • $5 for adults; free for all children, 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online, at the door, or at the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, Cashiers Valley Pharmacy, and Cashiers Farmers Market. Each ticket includes a coupon to the Jersey Mike’s Subs locations in Brevard and Sylva.
SILENT AUCTION • Bidding begins on trees, wreaths, and gift Baskets on Friday, Nov. 29 and until 4 PM on Saturday, Nov. 30. All bidding will take place via an online auction website and pre-registration is encouraged for anyone interested in bidding: https://one.bidpal.net/cashiersfestivaloftrees
SHOPPING • Shopping will be available at the Gift Zone and a pop-up Teddy Bear Workshop with O.P. Taylor sponsored by Design South Builders is a kid favorite with a new collection of furry friends and accessories to choose from. New this year is a fresh Wreath Bar. Choose from a selection of wreaths and personalize your masterpiece with an array of bows by Drew English, ornaments, and decorative accents. This year's vendors include: beautiful embroidery collections from Webster Workshop, stunning glass-blown and blacksmith creations from Jackson County Green Energy Park, healthy snacks from Health Nuts Market, small-batch luxury artisan chocolate from Indigenous Chocolate, captivating prints and original art by Hannah Beimborn, and jewelry from Isabelle Ambrose Jewelry, A Jones Company, and Welded Waves. Get ahead of the holiday hustle and bustle by shopping early at the Festival!
CHILDREN’S EXPERIENCES • Children enjoy complimentary crafts, a holiday scavenger hunt with prizes, coloring stations, and readings in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storytime Nook. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other magical characters will be roaming the Festival on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 AM – noon.
PHOTO BOOTH • All ages can enjoy a special holiday photo booth with take-home pictures, sponsored by Slab Town Pizza and Cashiers Smokehouse, on both Friday and Saturday, noon - 4 PM.
SILENT AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS • In addition to beautiful decorations, many auction items include experiences and support specific, worthy educational programs. A collection of highlights include: a 2-night stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge in Greenville, golf rounds and merchandise from local and regional country clubs, private wine dinner for 12 at the Library Kitchen + Bar with Michelin-star trained Chef Johannes Klapdohr, boys and girls toy gift baskets from The Corner Store, a personal tour of the Big 10 Network studios including dinner with the network CEO in Chicago, numerous bottles of rare Blanton’s and Buffalo Trace bourbon, and trips to 30A in Florida and Lake Keowee. Vital school programs are supported throughout, such as art programs, athletics, and much more.
ART WALK • New this year is the art walk featuring 10 curated pieces of art for auction by Carla Gignilliat, Cara Chase, Laura Moser, Matt Betty, Kat Ford, Stacy Howell, and Love, Louise Designs.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, November 29
10:00 a.m.
Doors open to the public
11:00 a.m.
Storytime with the Albert-Carlton Library on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Nook. Sponsored by Cashiers Sotheby's & McKee Group.
Noon - 4:00 p.m.
Holiday Photo Booth Pop Up. Sponsored by Slab Town Pizza and Cashiers Smokehouse.
5:00 p.m.
Doors close
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Festival: After Dark (By Invitation Only. Benefactor and Corporate Sponsor Event)
Saturday, November 30
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
VIP Breakfast with Santa & Friends (By Invitation Only. Benefactor and Corporate Sponsor Event) Sponsored by The Club at High Hampton.
10:00 a.m.
Doors open to the public and "Buy it Now" goes live on silent auction items
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Santa and Mrs. Claus Roam the Festival!
10:00 a.m. Storytime with the Albert-Carlton Library on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Stage. Sponsored by Cashiers Sotheby's & McKee Group.
4:00 p.m.
Silent Auction Closes
5:00 p.m.
Doors Close
Happening all open hours: O.P. Taylor’s Teddy Bear Workshop, Gameday Lounge, children crafts, silent auction, Gift Zone shopping, glass blowing and blacksmith demos, artisans, Booster Club concessions, wreath bar.
RAFFLE • This year's raffle offers the chance to win one of the following items: A Firman Hybird 7500-Watt Portable Generator donated by Blossman Gas or a designer appointed tree featuring gift cards from local businesses. You do not have to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased in-person and online for $10 per ticket or $50 for 6 tickets.
About the Summit Charter School Foundation
The Summit Charter School Foundation raises critical funds to support Summit Charter School, a tuition-free K-12 public charter school in Cashiers, N.C. Summit currently serves 323 students, representing five counties in western North Carolina. The Foundation is volunteer-led by a Board of Directors, including Sarah Jennings, Robert D. Hunter, Debi Townsend Stewart, Carrie Snoey, Denice Dunn, Patch Foster, Andrew Hudson, Wendy Lupas, Thomas Bates, Terry Dawkins, Roman Placko, Taylor Stewart, Gordon Coleman, and Eric Reeves.
Summit engages students in learning experiences that stimulate discovery, inspire excellence, and nurture a positive influence in an ever-changing world. Summit’s primary goals are to graduate students who are academically prepared, engaged in the community, and strong in character. Learn more at summitschool.org or call 828-743-5755.
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