The Baby Fold’s 30th Annual Festival of Trees

Join us for Bloomington-Normal’s premier holiday kick-off event, The Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees!

Festival of Trees
November 16 – 18, 2023
Interstate Center (1106 Interstate Dr. in Bloomington)
And online at festoftrees.org

A blessing for local kids, The Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees is a long-standing fundraiser and community tradition that has been providing critical funding for local children’s programs for 30 years. Your support through the purchase of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and holiday décor in our silent auction helps local families and children in need.

The Baby Fold’s programs are necessary for the health, well-being, and better future of 1,200+ children every year.

This Holiday Extravaganza and Auction, with virtual and in-person participation options, the Festival of Trees is sure to get you into the spirit of the season! You can expect a beautiful, one-of-a-kind holiday display that is a delight for the senses. Browse over 600 beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, and more. Bid on your favorites in the mobile auction, accessible from any device with an internet connection, from any location!

Visit the charming cookie and coffee shops, play free bingo on Senior Day, see Santa in his workshop, pick up a Christmas craft bag for the kids, enjoy a delicious Avanti’s dinner while enjoying live music, and browse through the vendors at our Holiday Market!

Find more details on additional activities including Senior Day Activities, Avanti’s Family Nights, and more at FestOfTrees.org.

November 16 – Festival of Trees open at the Interstate Center 4pm – 8pm (online auction opens at 3pm)
November 17 – Festival of Trees open at the Interstate Center 9am – 8pm (Avanti’s Family Night 5-7pm)
November 18 – Festival of Trees open at the Interstate Center 9am – 8pm (Holiday Market 9am – 3pm)
November 19 – Auction item pick up for auction winners 12pm – 3pm

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…