Festival of Trees moves downtown

3/10/2010 10:18:00 AM
By: Beth Whisman    
The Baby Fold's annual Festival of Trees holiday fundraiser will move to U.S. Cellular Coliseum in November.

Festival Co-Chair Melissa Manness officially announced the location change at this morning's sponsor breakfast while holding up a small coliseum sign over her head.


Manness says a special committee began looking for a new home last fall when Birkey's Farm Stores announced the company would buy the Interstate Center in Bloomington. The westside location had been the festival's home since it left the Sale Barn several years ago.

   
The committee considered many locations, including the new Marriott in Uptown Normal and the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University. But in the end, Manness says the coliseum's central location and heavy support from downtown businesses offered more opportunities to bring new elements to the event.


Last year's event raised $215,000 for the Baby Fold to service children and families with special needs.

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