Walk of Trees will be part of the 2010 Downtown Holidayfest in Columbia City
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The Victorian splendor of the lobby and parlor of The Clugston in downtown Columbia City will provide the perfect backdrop for a new event, the 2010 Walk of Trees. The event will also be the first major event of the Columbia City Downtown Business Association's 2010 Downtown Holidayfest.
Tammy Nickolson, property manager for The Clugston, is coordinating the Walk of Trees which begins November 26 and continues until December 11.
Nicholson is working with local businesses, families and individuals who will sponsor the trees which will eventually be raffled off to the public.
"I am hoping for 40-50 trees of all sizes to be placed in The Clugston," Nickolson said. She said several companies have already contacted her about sponsoring trees, excited to hear there will be a Christmas-oriented venue in Columbia City this year. "I am hearing people are glad something is going on since the lights are not a go this year."
Once the community has had several days to view the trees, they'll be raffled off with proceeds benefiting the residents and activities of The Clugston, a low- to moderate income senior housing facility.
"It may be for activities or small household needs they may have," Nickolson said of plans for the funds raised through the event. Seniors live on a very fixed income and after rent and medications, there is nothing left for anything else. Sometimes they need things and there is no assistance available."
There will be no admission fee to view the Walk of Trees, but raffle tickets will be available for $10 each. Those who purchase the tickets may then put them into the drawing for the specific tree they want to win.
"The whole tree from skirt to topper will be raffled," said Nickolson. "We only want artificial trees. Business are welcome to add a gift certificate as a bonus to their tree if they want."
Nickolson plans to have the trees up later this week and will open them to the public on Friday, November 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. during the kickoff to the 2010 Downtown Holidayfest in Columbia City. The Walk of Trees in the lobby and parlor of The Clugston will also be available for viewing on November 27, December 3, December 4, December 10 and December 11 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The raffle will be conducted on December 11 at 6 p.m.
Nickolson said she's excited to be a part of the excitement and momentum building in the downtown area -- highlighted with activities such as the 2010 Downtown Holidayfest.
"I would love to eventually see a HUGE winter festival the month of December going for downtown Columbia City," she said. She said the community is already fortunate to have events like the Community Christmas Live Nativity and several other events that will all be going on downtown, but in the future she hopes there will be even more. "It just takes lots of work to get it going!"
Nickolson is hopeful that the work invested in this year's first Walk of Trees will be enough to make it something the community looks forward to and supports year after year.
Anyone interested in donating or sponsoring a tree is urged to contact Tammy Nickolson via email at tnickolson@passagesinc.org
The Victorian splendor of the lobby and parlor of The Clugston in downtown Columbia City will provide the perfect backdrop for a new event, the 2010 Walk of Trees. The event will also be the first major event of the Columbia City Downtown Business Association's 2010 Downtown Holidayfest.
Tammy Nickolson, property manager for The Clugston, is coordinating the Walk of Trees which begins November 26 and continues until December 11.
Nicholson is working with local businesses, families and individuals who will sponsor the trees which will eventually be raffled off to the public.
"I am hoping for 40-50 trees of all sizes to be placed in The Clugston," Nickolson said. She said several companies have already contacted her about sponsoring trees, excited to hear there will be a Christmas-oriented venue in Columbia City this year. "I am hearing people are glad something is going on since the lights are not a go this year."
Once the community has had several days to view the trees, they'll be raffled off with proceeds benefiting the residents and activities of The Clugston, a low- to moderate income senior housing facility.
"It may be for activities or small household needs they may have," Nickolson said of plans for the funds raised through the event. Seniors live on a very fixed income and after rent and medications, there is nothing left for anything else. Sometimes they need things and there is no assistance available."
There will be no admission fee to view the Walk of Trees, but raffle tickets will be available for $10 each. Those who purchase the tickets may then put them into the drawing for the specific tree they want to win.
"The whole tree from skirt to topper will be raffled," said Nickolson. "We only want artificial trees. Business are welcome to add a gift certificate as a bonus to their tree if they want."
Nickolson plans to have the trees up later this week and will open them to the public on Friday, November 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. during the kickoff to the 2010 Downtown Holidayfest in Columbia City. The Walk of Trees in the lobby and parlor of The Clugston will also be available for viewing on November 27, December 3, December 4, December 10 and December 11 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The raffle will be conducted on December 11 at 6 p.m.
Nickolson said she's excited to be a part of the excitement and momentum building in the downtown area -- highlighted with activities such as the 2010 Downtown Holidayfest.
"I would love to eventually see a HUGE winter festival the month of December going for downtown Columbia City," she said. She said the community is already fortunate to have events like the Community Christmas Live Nativity and several other events that will all be going on downtown, but in the future she hopes there will be even more. "It just takes lots of work to get it going!"
Nickolson is hopeful that the work invested in this year's first Walk of Trees will be enough to make it something the community looks forward to and supports year after year.
Anyone interested in donating or sponsoring a tree is urged to contact Tammy Nickolson via email at tnickolson@passagesinc.org