Join us at the
13th Annual
Festival of Trees
Participate in the Silent Auction by bidding on Auction Items and pre-decorated Trees.
Add raffle tickets to your favorite Raffle Basket.
Enjoy the Holiday Breakfast hosted by the students of Washougal High School’s Culinary and Pastry programs.
Come see Santa and enjoy live holiday entertainment.
All this while supporting the students of the Washougal School District.
Event Schedule:
Participate in the Raffle, View Auction Items and Trees, Place your bid:
Friday December 6th, 4 PM to 8 PM & Saturday December 7th, 9 AM to 6 PM
Pictures with Santa:
Saturday December 7th, 10 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 3 PM
Holiday Breakfast, $5 per plate:
Saturday December 7th, 9 AM to 12 PM
Event Goals:
In 2023, the Festival of Trees raised over $26,800 for the students of Washougal schools. This year, we hope to reach $28,000 for our students and schools!
Amazing gift baskets and other wonderful items will be available for auction in addition to the beautiful trees. Groups, clubs, teams, and staff at our amazing schools all work to put together this amazing event.
Join us in making this year a huge success – for our community, our businesses, and most of all, the students in our schools.
2023 Papa’s Prize Winner
Zane’s Tree
Donated by the Zain Justis Foundation
How Does it Work?
Several hundred people come to enjoy this joyful event each year! During the Festival, businesses and individuals bid on trees and auction items or baskets for their lobby, living room, or to donate to a family that would otherwise go without.
The net proceeds from the Festival are distributed to the seven schools of the Washougal School District. All schools as well as their various groups, teams, and clubs are invited to contribute trees and auction items to the festival. Each school principal is allocated 2 raffle baskets to share among their schools clubs and groups. Schools receive the proceeds from the winning bids on their items or items donated on their behalf. Any additional proceeds raised are equally divided among the 7 schools.
Where Does the Money Go?
The proceeds are distributed among the schools, clubs, and organizations participating in accordance with the Festival’s Donation Designation Guidelines. Each recipient determines where the funds they receive can best meet the needs of their students. This might include science supplies, field trip scholarships, art materials, online reading programs, science nights, math masters, and school assembly speakers. This year, clubs and groups have been asked to share with bidders what they plan to do with the money raised.
Our History
Ivan Gering, owner of Papa’s Ice Cream Parlor in Washougal, called together a group of people in September of 2010 with the idea of starting the Festival of Trees. His dream was to raise money for the schools, showcase local businesses, and provide a festive occasion for the entire community to enjoy. The Washougal Lions Foundation adopted the festival as a project soon thereafter. The first festival was held in a vacant corner of Washougal Town Square. The festival then moved to a larger, unused, space at Town Square for the next two years. In 2013 the festival found a permanent home at Hathaway Elementary School in the heart of Washougal.
Our focus is enhancing educational opportunities for the students in Washougal School District. We also strive to facilitate community involvement and a showcase for our local and regional businesses.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities for those wishing to help with Festival of Trees. Tasks include:
Planning- assist with planning and organizing
Set up- Set up tables, signs, etc
Ticket Sales- Sell tickets as people come into the Festival
Monitor the floor- walk around the floor and make sure that people and children are respecting the trees and baskets.
Concessions- Serve coffee and cookies
Holiday Breakfast - Plan, prepare, serve, or clean up our holiday breakfast on Saturday morning
Clean- up- Take down tables, signs, etc
Wrapping trees
Loading trees and auction items for our winning bidders.
Trees from Festivals Past
Sponsors & Donors
Greetings from the Festival!
Planning for the 13th Annual Washougal Festival of Trees is in full swing. Last year’s success wouldn’t have been possible without our wonderful tree decorators and donors. We invite you to participate in this worthwhile event by becoming a sponsor, decorating a tree and/or making a donation. To help our schools, groups, and clubs reach this year’s goal of $28,000, members of our business community are invited to sponsor the event at various levels. Additionally, businesses in the Camas/Washougal area invited to donate items for the silent auction. All contributions, including the cost of decorations for your tree, are tax deductible, as this is a project of the Hathaway Boosters Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation.
We invite you to participate in this worthwhile event by becoming a sponsor or making a donation. With your help, we can make this year a huge success – for our community, our businesses, and most of all, the students in our schools. Please feel free to contact us at washougalfestivaltrees@gmail.com or (503) 781-1298 with any questions or to indicate your level of involvement. We value your support in furthering the growth and development of the youth in this community, and hope that you will participate in the 2024 Washougal Festival of Trees!
*Please fill out the form below and you will be personally contacted by one of our committee members.
*If you wish to decorate a tree or donate a basket for our silent auction, please complete the appropriate form below.
Sponsor, Donor, & Volunteer Forms
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All donations are acknowledged with a thank-you letter and tax receipt.
Each Donor will receive name recognition at the Auction Event.
The Washougal Festival of Trees is sponsored by the Hathaway Boosters Club. Contributions are tax deductible through the Hathaway Boosters Club (501)(c)(3).
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Festival of Trees Sponsorship Options
Bronze Level – $250 Sponsorship Donation
Includes:
Your name or business listed as a sponsor on the event program
Silver Level – $500 Sponsorship Donation
Includes:
Your name or business listed as a sponsor on the event program
Your name and/or logo on the annual event banner
Display of your company banner at the event
Gold Level – $750 Sponsorship Donation
Includes:
Your name or business listed as a sponsor on the event program
Your name and/or logo on the annual event banner
Display of your company banner at the event
Your name or business listed as a sponsor on counter cards
A certificate of participation to display at your place of business or organization
Announcements of appreciation during the event
Platinum Level – $1,000 or more Sponsorship Donation
Includes:
Your name or business listed as a sponsor on the event program
Your name and/or logo on the annual event banner
Your name or business listed as a sponsor on counter cards
A certificate of participation to display at your place of business or organization
Announcements of appreciation during the event
The option of having a 4-foot table at the live event
Display of your company banner at the event
A link to your website on Festival Website and Facebook home pages along with recognition of your sponsorship
Title Sponsorship – $5,000
Includes:
Your name or business listed as the Title Sponsor of this year’s Festival of Trees on all marketing materials including the event program, event banner, and counter cards.
A certificate of participation to display at our place of business or organization
Announcements of appreciation during the event
The option of having a 4-foot table at the live event
Display of your company banner at the event
A link to your website on the Festival website and social media pages along with recognition of your sponsorship.
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Planning
As your group of star decorators plan your tree, keep in mind the objective of getting as high a bid as possible. Trees that have done well in the past have had a very clever theme, been uniquely beautiful in design, or have had compelling gifts included in the theme. Creativity is the key! This year a list will be available to see what themes other participating groups have already committed to in the hopes that duplicate themes do not diminish your bidding potential. Please remember that everything attached to or under the tree will go to the highest bidder!
Please note that Alcohol is not allowed on school property. If you are including alcohol with your donation/tree, please be sure to list the items on your forms. You may use a placeholder (ie: printed label of the item or a photo) in your set up, but must arrange with the committee for any alcoholic items to be collected when items are picked up after the Festival of Trees has ended. The Festival of Trees Committee can help facilitate this exchange. The Festival of Trees Committee can help facilitate this exchange.
We will have two types of trees available courtesy of our local tree donors. You may reserve a six foot noble or a three foot table top noble. You are also free to donate your own tree, either live or artificial. The provided trees will include stands. Specific trees and locations are assigned on a random basis on the first day of tree decoration.
Forms
This year we are hoping to streamline the documentation and forms processes. Decorators will be asked to submit an initial decorators commitment form by November 1. A second form will be due the week of the festival with all of the information about your tree, including, estimated value, itemized list of included prizes, and information about what your group is planning to achieve with any funds raised. Checking of final documents will take place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Friday December 6. However, bid sheets will be printed Wednesday, so all confirmation forms must be submitted by end of day Tuesday December 3.
Decoration Day Instructions
A label with your group's name will be posted on your assigned tree. Trees must remain in the allocated space, however groups are free to trade trees if both groups are in agreement.
You’ll have a chance to decorate your tree on Wednesday, December 4, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, December 5, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday December 6 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. If you bring pre-schoolers, please make arrangements for them to be supervised.
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Decoration Requirements
ORNAMENTS: The buyer will need to transport the tree when the festival is over. Therefore, ornaments must be firmly attached to ensure items are not damaged or lost when trees are shrink-wrapped. All items on the tree, including lights and other decorations, must be glued or wired to the tree using pipe cleaners, zip ties, floral wire, etc.
Tree Skirt/Stand Covering
Decorators are required to furnish a tree skirt or other covering material for the base of their tree. This can be as simple as a piece of fabric or an elaborate skirt. Please use materials and designs that are not difficult to move – consider the delivery process when making your selection.
Tree Lights
At the festival, power will be supplied to the base of your tree. Use of LED lights is required. You do not need to provide a power strip and flat household extension cords may not be used. Use new (UL-approved) light strings and lights that are independent of each other, so that if one light burns out, the rest stay on. A useful rule of thumb is approximately two (2) light strings per each foot of tree. Do not use old lights.
- Large outdoor lights are prohibited on the tree, however, large indoor lights are acceptable. Large outdoor lights may be added only as an included item for your tree.ot need to provide a power strip, and flat household extension cords may not be used. Use new (UL-approved) light strings and lights that are independent of each other, so that if one light burns out, the rest stay on. A useful rule of thumb is approximately two (2) light strings per each foot of tree. Do not use old lights.
– Large outdoor lights are prohibited (large indoor lights are acceptable)
– Everything attached to or under the tree will go to the highest bidder!
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Planning
As your group begins planning your donations for auction items, keep in mind the objective of getting as high a bid as possible. Baskets that have done well in the past have had a very clever theme, been uniquely beautiful in design, or have included compelling gift certificates, activities, or adventures. Creativity is your friend here. Auction items may include gift baskets, holiday wreaths, gift certificates, unique or beautiful gift items, specialty holiday decor and more.
Forms
This year we are hoping to streamline the documentation and forms processes. Donors will be asked to submit a Gift Donation Form before delivery to the school. This form will request information about the donor, contact information, an item name and description, an estimated value, proceeds designation preferences, etc. This information will be used to record your contribution, prepare acknowledgement letters and listings, and to properly describe your donation for auction bid sheets and receipts.
Donated Items will be accepted beginning November 1 at Hathaway Elementary. Items must be delivered by December 4th.
Documentation
The forms must be completed prior to delivery either online or by attaching a copy of the Gift Donation Form to your donation. If you need a print copy of the Gift Donation Form, please contact us at washougalfestivaltrees@gmail.com.
Delivery Dates & Requirements
Donated Items will be accepted beginning November 1 at Hathaway Elementary. Items must be delivered by December 4th. All donated items must be delivered with an attached copy of the donation form or for forms completed online, a copy of the gift item name and description of donated items.
Gift Item Restrictions - Alcohol:
Please note that Alcohol is not allowed on school property. If you are including alcohol with your donation, please be sure to list the item on your form. You may also choose to use a placeholder (ie: printed label of the item or a photo) in your basket or set up, but must arrange for the actual alcohol to be collected after the Festival of Trees has ended. The Festival of Trees Committee can help facilitate this exchange.
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The proceeds from Trees or Auction Items donated by a business may only be designated to all schools. The proceeds from Trees or Auction Items donated by an individual or a school group, team, or club may be designated to a specific school or group. Raffle items follow their own set of guidelines as raffle spaces are limited to 2 per school.
Funds from Sponsors will be used to cover all hosting fees associated with the festival. This includes printing, materials, processing fees, etc. Any remaining funds beyond the allocated running budget for the following year ($1000) will be divided equally among all schools. If funds from sponsors is insufficient to cover processing fees, this money will be withheld from the total amount raised for all schools before those funds are divided and dispersed.
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Tree Decorator Forms
Commitment forms (paper or digital) should be returned by November 1st. Confirmation Forms are due no later than Tuesday December 3 to guarantee the bid sheet contains all pertinent information.
Auction Item Forms
Forms should be returned at the donors earliest convenience. Donated Items will be accepted beginning November 1 at Hathaway Elementary. Items must be delivered by December 4th.
Raffle Forms
Raffle spaces should be assigned or declined and have the Raffle Allocation Form submitted by November 1st. Raffle Details Forms must be submitted by December 3rd.
Our Contact Information
Mail to:
630 24th St
Washougal, WA 98671
2024 Festival of Trees Committee:
Wendy Morrill
Nell Perry
Dana Wilson
Hannah Dahl
Cortni Morris
Jennie Schlegel
Margie Shoemaker
Carla Morgan
Wendy Taylor
Peggy Denny
Charlotte Linde
Les Brown
Phone: 503-781-1298
E-mail: washougalfestivaltrees@gmail.com
2024 Festival of Trees Sponsors