Tickets are still available for the 2017 Festival of Trees, the annual auction fundraiser for The Era’s Less Fortunate (ELF) Fund that will be held on Thursday at The Bradford Club. The theme is “Believe in the Magic of the Season.”
According to Rhonda Gray, an ELF board member and longtime volunteer for the event, tickets will still be available at the door or at one of five outlets: Tops, Timeless Treasures on Chestnut Street, Santo Vida Wellness on Main Street and the Northwest Bank locations on Main Street and East Main Street/Derrick Road. Tickets are $20 each and provide entrance to the event, food, live music and the chance to bid on an array of local items.
“This year, Shelley Wright will be heading the musical entertainment,” Gray said. “She will be accompanied a guest vocalist.”
Gray mentioned that the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford a capella group, Basic Pitches, will also be providing musical entertainment.
Auction items this year will include rustic handcrafted items, sporting goods, overnight stay packages, food and wine baskets, beauty and spa baskets, sports fan packages and other gift items donated by local artisans and businesses.
A commemorative Case knife and Zippo lighter will be offered by silent ballot box bidding. The winners will be announced near the end of the evening.
The ELF Fund season officially kicked off on Nov. 1 with the annual kick-off breakfast that was held at the First Presbyterian Church. Gift tags featuring the Christmas wishes of needy children and senior citizens in the Bradford Area School District were distributed, giving volunteer shoppers the opportunity to supply someone with a Christmas gift. Some tags are still available to pick up at local Bradford businesses and organizations.
Drop off dates for the gifts are Nov. 28, 29, and 30 and Dec. 2 at the former Goodwill space in the Save-A-Lot building at 75 Forman St., courtesy of building owner Varischetti & Sons of Brockway. Distribution day will be Dec. 8.
The ELF season will come to a close with the annual senior Christmas party, to be held Dec. 10 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
