Between the children’s laughter and the twinkling lights, the “Festival of Trees” and “Happy Holiday’s Laramie!” captures the holiday spirit as described by Katie Christensen, curator of education and statewide engagement at the University of Wyoming Art Museum.
“I’d say just the community in general because we get about 2,200 people from the community in that time,” Christensen said. “Just celebrating our community. It’s support for all of the arts and the beginning of a holiday season. It’s a really festive fun occasion.”
This holiday season the Art Museum will be hosting the 25th annual “Festival of Trees,” “Happy Holidays Laramie!” and silent auction beginning Nov. 30 and will be presented through Dec. 2 with a multitude of performances Thursday and Saturday.
“So, Thursday night our school performance, and off the top of my head, it’s the Acabellas from the Laramie High School, so they’re a choir that’s performing,” Christensen said.
Throughout the event there will be a multitude of musical and dance performances from the community. With half hour performances during the event on Thursday and Saturday, there will be a total of twelve musical and dance performances.
“There’s a community trio called Eclectica, who’s going to be singing in the morning [on Saturday] and they’re doing holiday classics, but they’re also doing some show tune classics,” Christensen said.
The Festival of Trees and silent auction consists of trees and holiday items donated and decorated by an array of organizations including student groups, civic organizations, local businesses and members of the community.
“For me it’s the communities coming in and decorating the trees. And then seeing the kids’ faces when they get to see the trees then turn around and get to see Santa,” Administrative Assistant who has been helping with this event for six years, Janine Reinhardt said.
There will be a “Lighting of the Trees” ceremony Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. including refreshments and performances by local Laramie student talents. During this event, the silent auction bids will open and attendees can vote for a People’s Choice Award, which will be announced that same evening.
The silent auction will continue on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., concluding Dec. 2 at 2:30 p.m. and winners need not be present to win. All proceeds from the silent auction will go to benefit the museums programs and children’s art classes.
“The art education at the museum serves preschool through older adults through all of our programing,” Christensen said. “So that’s the museum tour experiences, after school enrichment, family Saturday programs, March Art Month, summer art camps and summer teaching institute.”
“Happy Holidays Laramie!” will commence Dec. 2 at 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. During this time, there will be musical performances by local choral groups and student musicians, with a grand finale by the Laramie Community Band. Children are invited to attend to have their pictures taken with Santa Clause, make ornaments, cards and other holiday decorations
“We welcome students to come. And if they want to come visit with Santa; you’re never too old to visit with Santa,” Christensen said. “You guys are always welcome to any of the art making activates that we have because they are age appropriate for all age. It’s fun! You should come and listen to the holiday music.”
The holiday exhibition of Albany County children’s artwork is on display until Saturday Dec. 16. All events are free and open to the public and are located at the UW Art Museum, located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willet Drive.
“Happy Holidays Laramie!” and the “Festival of Trees” are sponsored by First Interstate Bank, John McPherson DDS, Laramie GM Auto Venter, White’s University Motors, Schott McFarland Insurance Agency, UniWyo Federal Credit Union and American National Bank
