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The
purpose of the Festival of Trees,
Garrett
County was to create
another multi-day event to promote county tourism and
visitation.
Although Thanksgiving is a time of heavier rental
business, there are not a lot of activities outside of
skiing and tubing (weather permitting) for visitors to
do. This
festival will help increase visitation, lodging and area
sales.
The 2nd
Annual Festival of Trees,
Garrett
County will be held
Wednesday, November 25th – Saturday, November
28th.
The 4-day event features Family Night, Seniors
Day with Holiday Bingo, Kid’s Day including Breakfast
with Santa, free activities and crafts, plus the “T’was
the Night Before” Preview Party and Auction where all
displays are for sale.
The 2008
inaugural year brought in hundreds of
visitors and a
successful event.
On display were 28 themed trees, 19 wreaths and
table decorations, 5 gingerbread houses and 2 holiday
cakes. The
first ever Santa Brunch was sold out and Kid’s Day was
an overwhelming home run as kids were entertained for
hours visiting with Santa, making crafts, playing games,
meeting holiday characters, writing letters to Santa and
decorating cookies in Santa’s Bakery.
The proceeds of the 1st Annual
Festival of Trees, Garrett County benefitted the Dove
Center,
Garrett
County’s Domestic Violence Shelter and
Resource Center.
The
Dove Center provides assistance to those who
become victims of domestic violence and assault, along
with counseling services for both abused and abusers.
The Center also offers court assistance and
counseling to help families, women, men and children get
back on their feet again.
In 2009,
we hope to work with rental agencies to offer lodging
packages.
New to the Festival outside of existing Tree, Wreath,
Table and Gingerbread exhibits will be “Mrs. Claus’
Corner”.
This is a new exhibit area where those that are talented
in the area of quilting, needlepoint, knitting, felting
and sewing can add displays that include stockings,
placemats, decorative holiday themed pillows, tree
skirts, ornaments and table runners.
These Items will be available for auction and
sale thru “price now” and silent auction.
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Festival Marketing
The
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is once again a
partner and co-sponsor offering web banners, links and
email blasts.
Press releases, PSA’s and local radio offer
exposure for the festival in our market and nearby
areas.
Radiowerks Broadcasting - - 104.5 KHJ, 92.3 The Train
and 1050 am WMSG sign on once again as official radio
sponsors. A
flyer and article is planned to be inserted in the POA’s
newsletter reaching hundreds of second homeowners who
plan to visit us for Thanksgiving.
Web links will be on the Dove Center Website,
Chamber Website and Radio Stations websites.
Sponsors at certain levels receive a link from
the Festival website to their own website.
Local campaigns will be targeted in
Cumberland, Frostburg,
Oakland, Morgantown areas.
Rack Cards will be ready and distributed by
Autumn Glory.
Rental packets will be stuffed with Festival
inserts and event banners will be hung throughout the
county.
Print
advertising has been planned and placed in the Garrett
County Vacation Guide, Lakefront Magazine, The
Republican, Cumberland Times News and more.
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