By Mary Craig Tenille

If you’re looking to treat your kids to some fun and support a great cause, come out to the Festival of Trees November 20-21, 2010 and support Brenner Children’s Hospital. There’s plenty to keep anyone busy and having fun.

For kids 2-12, there’s Christmas Playland, where they can write letters to Santa, make crafts, play games and have their faces painted. They can even go to their own Children’s Shop (no adults allowed!) and buy gifts for under $6.

There will be music and dancing from Snappy Tappers, Spartanettes from Mount Tabor High School, Whitaker Elementary School Chorus and Academy of Dance Arts. There’s the Christmas Tree Forest, with 40 beautiful trees and wreaths. There’s a snow-covered Gingerbread Village, and specialty shops where you can browse for gifts from Karen and Nancy Homemade Goodies, Sassy Selections, Knit Picky, and many more.  There are also some extra-special attractions.

On that Saturday morning, kids can have breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m., pass along their Christmas wish lists and get their picture taken with him. Chick-fil-A cow and Bolt, the Winston-Salem Dash mascot, will be there, and Dewey’s Bakery will have treats to snack on.

If you want to get a head start on Friday, November 19, there’s a Gingerbread Cookie Party, a performance by Academy of Dance Arts, The Children’s Theatre of Winston-Salem and a visit from Santa, all for a separate cost of $20. There’s also the Holiday Girls’ Night Out Friday night from 6-9 p.m., with cocktails, food and shopping for $30.

It’s all at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds’ Education Building, 9-6 on Saturday the 20th and noon-5 on Sunday the 21st. Tickets are sold only at the door – $6 for adults, $3 for kids 2-12. Park for FREE!  And it all supports Brenner Children’s Hospital. Please call Cindy Caines at (336) 716-7985 if you need more information.

So many volunteers have worked so hard to make the Festival of Trees a spectacular event. This is its 23rd year. It’s family fun and helps Brenner Children’s Hospital. Come out and get a fun start to your holiday season!

Triad Moms on Main will be at the Festival of Trees on Sunday, November 21st!  We will have a fun craft for your children to take part in, and we owe a huge thank you to Marybeth Barrett of Addressing Spaces for helping us prepare this project!