Rotary displays holiday spirit at Fantasy of Trees The annual fundraiser offers a wide variety of Christmas trees, wreaths and urns decorated for the holiday season by local businesses and community groups, all up for grabs through a raffle.

Dec 2017Dec 04 2017 Scott Rosts, Grimsby Lincoln News Christmas, Dr Seuss tree, Fantasy of Trees, Grimsby

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Ryan Allington and son Piers were checking out the 40-plus decorated trees on display as part of the Rotary Club of Grimsby's Fantasy of Trees at the Grimsby Museum. The annual fundraiser, which runs until December 10, was launched with a tree lighting, caroling and more on the front lawn of the museum. Photo: Scott Rosts/Metroland — Ryan Allington and son Piers were checking out the 40-plus decorated trees on display as part of the Rotary Club of Grimsby’s Fantasy of Trees at the Grimsby Museum. The annual fundraiser, which runs until December 10, was launched with a tree lighting, caroling and more on the front lawn of the museum. Photo: Scott Rosts/Metroland

The Grimsby Museum has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland.

Last week the Rotary Club of Grimsby (Ontario, Canada — D 7090) celebrated the opening of its 18th annual Fantasy of Trees fundraiser.

The annual event features a wide variety of Christmas trees, wreaths and urns decorated for the holiday season by local businesses, community groups and individuals — all up for grabs through a raffle.

Rotarian Roger Bradley, event chair, says there are more than 40 decorated trees this year, all offering their own unique features.

Some are more traditionally decorated, while others offer whimsical decor, or special themes, including a Minecraft tree, Lego tree, and two special trees being offered through silent auction, including a Dr Seuss tree featuring the Grinch and other Seussical items, as well as a tree decorated in McDonald’s Happy Meal toys dating back to the 1990s.

“It’s a pretty beautiful dazzling display. Every year the decorators come up with new ideas and every year they seem to top what they did the year prior,” said Bradley. “There’s a lot of creativity.”

Every tree is available to be won through a raffle, which will take place at the completion of the event on December 10 at 4.15 pm.

While the admission to the event is free, raffle tickets are sold for $10 to guests who stroll through the exhibition.

They are able to place their ticket in the boxes belonging to the trees they would like to try and win.
They winner will get to take home the tree and the decorations on it.

The proceeds from the ticket sales go toward Rotary’s community projects.

There are also a variety of other raffle prizes to be won, as well as silent auctions for a variety of items, including the Seuss-themed and Happy Meal toy trees.

Last year, the event raised $15,000 for a wide variety of community causes.

This year’s recipients include Big Brothers Big Sisters Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln, Community Living — Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln, The FORT, Grimsby Affordable Housing Partnership, Grimsby Life Centre, McNally House Hospice, Literacy Council of Niagara West, Special Olympics of Grimsby, Lincoln, the Dinner on Us programme at St John’s Presbyterian Church, West Lincoln Memorial Auxiliary, West Niagara Second State Housing and Counselling and Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers.

“It seems to get bigger every year. The community is incredibly generous,” said Bradley, adding they’re also grateful for the support of lead sponsor Performance BMW this year.

“I can’t explain just how giving they are year after year.”

Fantasy of Trees kicked off last Friday with a special tree lighting celebration, and will run through to December 10 at the museum, 6 Murray St in Grimsby.

A special Christmas market is also running at the museum on December 2 and 3.

Admission to the market, happening in the basement of the museum, is also free.

Source: NiagaraThisWeek.com