Weiser readies for annual event
Monday, November 22, 2004 11:44 AM PST
Casey L. Keller - Argus Observer
Weiser - Children and parents anxious to visit with Santa Claus this year can do so in early December at the 18th Annual Weiser Festival of Trees Auction and Gala. This year's festival will feature the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Claus along with 14 trees, a variety of Christmas decorations, live entertainment and activities for children, Weiser Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Director Tracy Ramza said.
The Weiser Festival of Trees is hosted annually by the hospital's foundation. This year's event will take place Dec. 2 through Dec. 4 at the Vendome Event Center. Proceeds from the festival benefit the hospital, Ramza said.
"When people give to the foundation, they are really giving to the community, Phil Soulen, chair of the foundation board said. "The funds received from this event are used to purchase much needed equipment and upgrade services."
Specifically, this year's funds are earmarked to purchase advanced equipment for the surgical department, Ramza said.
This year's festival theme is "Gifts We Treasure." Volunteers from the community decorate all 14 live trees, which are purchased by the foundation. The volunteers also provide the decorations for their tree, Ramza said.
The festival will open Dec. 2 with a social hour at 6 p.m. The Idaho Shakespeare Festival will present "Stubby Pringle's Christmas" from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the tree auction and gala will take place beginning at 7:45 p.m., Ramza said.
Ramza encourages anyone wanting to attend the auction to reserve a seat by Nov. 26. They can do so by contacting her at (208) 549-0370, Ext. 135. There is no charge to attend.
The second day of the festival begins at 10 a.m. The event is open to the public through 9 p.m. Entertainment will be provided from noon to 8 p.m. and the annual Weiser Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will take place at 5:15 p.m., Ramza said.
This year's Christmas parade, themed "Santa's Twinkling Magic," will begin at the Weiser Middle School and end at the train depot, Sheri Shoemaker with the chamber of commerce said. Shoemaker is still working out the final details, but she hopes to have a tree lighting at the depot following the parade, she said.
To learn more about the parade, enter or to volunteer, contact Shoemaker, (208) 414-0542.
Festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to purchase a chance to win the "Patron Tree," Ramza said. The tree is the most elaborate tree of the festival and will be awarded to one winner. Tickets are $50 each. There will also be a tree up for raffle. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the festival.
The final day of the festival, Dec. 4, will be Festival Family Day from 9 a.m. to noon, Ramza said.
The day will feature a large variety of activities for children and adults including a gingerbread man decorating contest, a children's store, face painting, Friends of the Hospital arts and crafts table, gingerbread houses, a sweet shoppe and the viewing of the decorated trees.
Mr. and Mrs. Santa, as promised earlier, will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to pose for pictures, Ramza said.
Saturday is also the final day of the silent auction, which will include items donated by the community, Ramza said.
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And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.
Disgusting. "