Cashiers Festival of Trees Returns on November 25 and 26

Cashiers Festival of Trees Returns on November 25 and 26

A Dazzling Display of Trees, Wreaths, and Gift Baskets Awaits at Summit Charter School

CASHIERS, NC – November 18, 2022 – The Summit Charter School Foundation is excited to announce that the 2022 Cashiers Festival of Trees will open on Friday, November 25 in the Summit Center at 370 Mitten Lane, Cashiers, NC, 28717. The festive fundraiser – accessible both in-person and virtually – will run through Saturday, November 26. Doors are open 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 wide variety of holiday performances, create free personalized children’s crafts, celebrate literacy on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storytime Stage, enjoy a pop up Build-a-Bear Workshop, and shop one-of-a-kind gifts in the Gift Zone. McKee Properties 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 or wreath, 80% of the item’s sale will go back to the participating organization, creating a collaborative initiative to benefit fellow charities and their worthy causes. This is an increase from 20% in 2021.

“Supporting our entire community is very important to our cause and the school’s overall mission,” explains the co-chairs and Cashiers residents Sarah Palisi Chapin and Sarah Jennings. "We are thrilled to raise vital funds for our beloved Summit while also increasing our giving to many other causes across the community.”

Businesses, nonprofits, and individuals have created traditional and themed trees, wreaths, gift baskets, artwork, and more to be enjoyed during the event. A full list of supporters can be viewed here or on www.summitschool.org. A small sampling of the 100+ submissions include Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, Lynn Monday’s House of Design, The Bascom, Interior Enhancements, Cashiers Historical Society, The Club at High Hampton, Spruce Interiors, Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation, Mantiques, Oakleaf Style, Cashiers Valley Real Estate, and Zoller Hardware. Cashiers Firewood’s submission includes a steam train made out of firewood and currently on display at the school, with the highest bidder receiving delivered and stacked firewood representing equivalent cords of firewood used in the design.

“The support from the community has been truly inspiring in year two of this event. We owe deep 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. We have increased our retail offerings significantly this year and displays will be up for view during the duration of the event, both in-person and online, so we invite those near and far to join us. Get festive and give back!” conclude the co-chairs.

Pertinent event information is included below:

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN • Friday, November 25 - Saturday, November 26, 10 AM - 5:00 PM

WHERE • The Summit Center gym and fine arts facility at 370 Mitten Lane, Cashiers

ENTRY TICKETS • $5 for adults; free for all children. Tickets can be purchased online via the auction website, at the door, or at the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, Cashiers Valley Pharmacy, Zoller Hardware, Cashiers Farmers Market, and Oakleaf in Highlands. Each ticket includes a coupon to the Jersey Mike’s Subs locations in Brevard and Sylva.

SILENT AUCTION • Trees, Wreaths, and Gift Baskets may be bid on beginning Friday, Nov. 25 and until 4 PM on Saturday, Nov. 26. All bidding will take place via an online auction website and pre-registration is encouraged for anyone interested in bidding. LINK: https://one.bidpal.net/cashiersfestivaloftrees

SHOPPING • Shopping will be available at the Gift Zone and a pop up Build-A-Bear Workshop sponsored by Design South Builders is a kid favorite with a new collection of furry friends and accessories to choose from. Wreaths will be plentiful. Additional vendors include local honey products by Calm Creek Farm, live tree carving by Cutting Edge Carvings, jewelry by designer Ginger Made, and handmade ornaments and holiday decor from a variety of talented donors. There will also be a jewelry trunk show with Twine and Twig on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 1 PM - 5 PM. Get ahead of the holiday hustle and bustle by shopping early at the Festival!

CHILDREN’S CRAFTS • Children enjoy complimentary crafts and coloring stations as well as interactive experiences through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storytime Stage. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other magical characters will be roaming the Festival on Saturday, Nov. 27 from 10 AM - 11 AM.

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 new Grand Bohemian Lodge in Greenville, golf rounds and merchandise from clubs across the plateau and beyond, a Michael Aram Menorah, a professionally catered 3-course meal from Chef and Summit parent–Holly Chick– featuring Native Prime Provisions and Red Clay Hot Sauce products and paired wines, boys and girls toy gift baskets from The Corner Store, tickets to the touring Harry Potter Experience in Atlanta, and numerous bottles of rare Blanton’s bourbon. Vital school programs are supported throughout, such as scholarships for the Summit Class of 2023, the music and art programs, athletics, and much more.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS • Guests will enjoy a variety of performances, storytime, and more. The event schedule, as of November 17, is as follows:

Friday, November 25

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 Stage

12:30 p.m. Trumpet Performance by Jesse Loyd

1:00 p.m. Summit’s Got Talent HOLIDAY featuring Summit students

2:00 p.m. Winter Wonderland Singalong with Tracie Jernigan

3:00 p.m. Storytime and crafts with Albert-Carlton Library on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Stage

5:00 p.m. Doors Close

Saturday, November 26

VIP Breakfast with Santa & Friends (By Invitation Only)

10:00 a.m. Doors open to the public

11:30 a.m. Musical Performance by Mark Wise

12:30 p.m. Musical Performance by John Warren

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Twine & Twig Trunk Show

1:30 p.m. Storytime with the Albert-Carlton Library on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Stage

3:00 p.m. Storytime with Mrs. KK of Sunshine Story

3:45 p.m. The Kooks of Hazzard featuring Ann Betty, Matt Betty, and Jeremy Robinson

4:00 p.m. Silent Auction Closes

5:00 p.m. Doors Close

RAFFLE • New this year is a Festival of Trees raffle. The raffle offers the chance to win one of the following items: a Golf Car from Appalachian Golf Cars, a designer appointed tree featuring gift cards from local businesses, or a giant Build-A-Bear Workshop teddy bear. You do not have to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased in-person and online for $35 per ticket or $100 for 4 tickets.

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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 291 students and 45 teachers, representing five counties in western North Carolina. The Foundation is volunteer-led by a Board of Directors, including Sarah Jennings, Sarah Palisi Chapin, Robert D. Hunter, Debi Townsend Stewart, Carrie Snoey, Denice Dunn, Patch Foster, Andrew Hudson, Mitch Kenfield, Bert Newsome, Kirk Moore, Roman Placko, and Joni Benetiz.

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 atsummitschool.org or call 828-743-5755.