Festival of Trees 2024 Application

The Festival of Trees is presented in partnership with Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and hosted inside the Mall at UTC! Join us for this holly jolly holiday event by decorating a tree and shining a bright light on your organization for thousands of visitors to see.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The annual UTC Festival of Trees is a showcase and silent auction of holiday trees creatively decorated by local charities. Spectators are invited to pay to vote for their favorites and bid in the online silent auction for a chance to take a tree home. 100% of the money raised goes back to each participating charity, and additional prizes are awarded to the top three entries with the most votes.
• The 2024 UTC Festival of Trees is presented in partnership with Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and hosted inside the Mall at UTC, which attracts 40,000+ visitors per day over the holiday season.
• Tree entries will be displayed Nov. 25 – Dec. 17 throughout the upper level and available for viewing during mall hours.
• An opening night reception will be held Monday, Nov. 25 from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Mall at UTC. Participating charities are encouraged to invite board members, volunteers and supporters to attend this special preview to generate awareness and excitement for the silent auction and voting. All participants are required to have at least (1) one representative stationed at their tree during the event to promote your creative design and critical mission.
• The silent auction and voting will be open 24/7 from Nov. 25 – Dec 17 via an online platform. Those wishing to vote and/or bid on a tree can do so remotely and do not need to be onsite.
• The event will conclude at 11:59 pm on Dec. 17 and silent auction winners will be notified the following day.
• Limited spaces available. Once capacity is reached, a waitlist will open.

dESIGN GUIDELINES

• Participants must provide their own artificial tree that is a minimum of 7’ tall and maximum of 9’ tall. Trees that don’t meet the height requirements will not be accepted.
• Artificial trees must be in a proper stand with tree skirt or custom covering.
• All decorations, lights and trim must be securely fastened on the tree. Florist wire is recommended. Entries will not be accepted if decorations are not glued and/or wired to tree. Bulb ornaments must have the top glued to the bulb. Lights must be new and in working condition.
• Event organizer will provide a custom sign that will be displayed by each tree featuring your logo, one-sentence description and website. Organizations are NOT permitted to display any additional collateral materials.
• Power will be available for plug-in lights.
• Participants must deliver their trees and decorate before the Mall at UTC opens to the public. Set up is available on either Nov. 21 or Nov. 22 between 7:00–10:00 am.
  It is the responsibility of each participant to have at least (1) one representative onsite on Dec. 17 or Dec. 18 to assist with preparing the tree for pickup. More details to follow.

kEY DATES

• Oct. 25: Registration deadline
• Nov. 21-22: Tree setup (7-10am)
• Nov. 25: Kick-Off Party at Mall at UTC (4-6pm)
• Dec. 17:  Silent auction closes; highest bidders notified
• Dec. 18:  Trees prepared for pickup; arrangements made with winners
• Dec. 19:  Winners pick up trees
• Late Jan:  Donations distributed