CHRISTMAS trees are expected to line the walls of the Ōtorohanga Club this weekend for an event designed purely to bring some joy to the community. With the past few years marked by Covid-prompted isolation, organiser Doreen de Haan thought hosting a Christmas tree festival would be a great opportunity to spark some Christmas cheer. The festival will be open to anybody and everybody, with families, community and emergency services and businesses alike contributing trees. Doreen said she didn’t expect everyone to bring traditional Christmas trees and encouraged participants to think outside of the box. “I would like people to bring their trees they have at home. “I invite people to use their imagination.” For example, if someone had a potted punga they could transport to the club and decorate they were more than welcome to do so. SOME RULES But there were a few rules Doreen asked people abide by: no water, no lollies and lights must be replaced as they die. “It’s not about giving things,” Doreen explained. “I don’t want the sweets to take over. It’s about the joy of Christmas.” Doreen suggested for businesses getting involved, some creative decoration could be used to promote their services. A jigsaw table would be set up and Doreen had organised for live music to play during the festival, including a 15-year-old electric guitarist. The festival runs from 9am-5pm Friday through Sunday at the Ōtorohanga Club’s southern lounge. Entry is free for both attendees and those displaying a tree. Doreen was adamant about there being no donation or koha entry because she wanted the event to be purely community-based. “If you can give happiness and joy to people that’s a good thing,” she said. Anyone who wants to display a tree in the festival can contact Doreen and set up this afternoon, Thursday. CHRISTMAS EVENTS Other Christmas events on this week include the annual Ōtorohanga Christmas market at Island Reserve on Sunday and a Christmas grotto at Hillside B&B. The grotto will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout December, except for December 16, from tomorrow. Entry is by gold coin donation from 8pm at 34 Kakamutu Rd. The organisers have requested in the interest of keeping everyone safe that no one drive up the driveway.
