Presley Ford and friend at Fantasy of Trees on Tuesday
OK. Put away that turkey and dressing. Get the dishes in the dishwasher. Maybe take a nap. But then, at some point this weekend, pry the folks away from the football games on TV and get yourself over to the Knoxville Convention Center for the Fantasy of Trees. It’s time to get in the Christmas spirit!
At the 27th annual Fantasy of Trees, a signature fundraiser for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, you will see hundreds of decorated Christmas trees, adorable scenes featuring life-sized stuffed animals, a fascinating gingerbread village, children’s rides, non-stop music and Santa, of course. It is impossible to leave without the magic rubbing off on you. And here’s a practical note: This is a great opportunity for photographs of your family that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. (Heck, I’m not even related to the little girl in this picture, but I feel that way about it nonetheless!)
Here are the specifics: Tickets are $10 each for adults and $5 for children aged 4 to 12. Kids under four get in free. If you bought a school coupon book, there is a $1 off coupon in it. Look at old News Sentinels for $1 off coupons. On Sunday, if you bring in a church bulletin from this weekend, you get $1 off. And seniors can get in for half price on Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. That’s also the time for the Senior Stroll, a 1-mile walk around the Fantasy of Trees. Click here for info on that.
Fantasy of Trees is open today (Thanksgiving) from 3 to 9; Friday and Saturday from 9 to 9; and Sunday from noon to 6.
Here’s a look at what we saw Tuesday when we went to the preview party.
My husband, Alan Carmichael, always finds the pretty women! Here he is with Erin Donovan, left, and Shanna Browning, about to head into the exhibition hall.
Theme this year was "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" so everything had a '50s feel. Centerpiece was a scene set in an old-fashioned diner named "Dancer Diner."
Dancing bears at the "diner." Love her poodle skirt and his leather jacket!
A band of penguins playing at the diner.
There were real vintage cars at the diner. This is a 1957 Chevy Bel Air.
Here is a 1959 Impala convertible.
Judith Foltz, left, and Gay Lyons feeding the reindeer!
Wendy Goodfriend with her son, Jeff, and granddaughters Riley, left, and Gabby.
Children's Hospital CEO Keith Goodwin with his wife, Diane, and hospital employee Mike Cooper, right. Cooper purchased the remote control "Sketch" character with his own money and volunteers to operate it at events like this. (Its head is interchangeable. Sometimes it's a doctor!)
Although the local hospitals are very competitive, all of them support Children's Hospital. Here is Keith Altshuler, left, the president and chief administrative officer of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, with Carlton Long of Children's and her husband, Arthur.
Becky Ashin, center, with Robyn and Jerry Askew. Jerry is a top executive at Tennova, which purchased Mercy Health Partners.
Scott Schimmel and Lisa Sorensen with their children Oliver and Victoria.
Judge Tom and Danni Varlan, at left, with Dawn, Presley, Kari and Richard Ford
Cameron Sears and Nancy Duckles
One of my favorite parts of Fantasy of Trees is the beautiful carousel.
There was plenty of fancy food: pancetta and four-cheese macaroni; hearts of romaine with grilled chicken and tomato caper relish; and open-faced BLTs made with Benton's bacon, tomato, Tennessee chow-chow and pesto mayo. But the mound of boiled shrimp always attracts the biggest crowd.
The party band Momentum played part of the time we were there. Check the website for a complete schedule. The music is non-stop during the show.
Jeannie Dulaney, left, with Scott and Mary Bogert. Mary is general manager of the Knoxville Convention Center.
Carol and Don Parnell
Dawn Ford and Elizabeth Thomas. Dawn is on the Children's Hospital board and Elizabeth works there and is in charge of this hugely successful event.
From left, Jason Bourgoynne of the Convention Center, Congressman Jimmy Duncan, Alan Carmichael and Jane Martin at a reception prior to the opening of Fantasy.
From left, Kim Beets of the Convention Center, Larry Martin, Leanna Belew of the Convention Center and Lynn Duncan at the reception.
Bruce Hartmann with Convention Center General Manager Mary Bogert, June Spargo and Tami Hartmann, at right.
If you’d like to read more about this year’s Fantasy of Trees, check out the blog called From Inside the Center written by Convention Center General Manager Mary Bogert. Click here.
Fantasy of Trees and the tree lighting tonight have brought the holiday spirit downtown this weekend. Ummm—How do I let you talk me into doing things like “feeding the reindeer”?
Aww, c’mon. They were hungry, what with all that flying about and all those toys! It was fun, wasn’t it? Gonna have to miss kickoff of Xmas in the City. Relying on you for full report!
Hey! Bruce and I were there. We did not make it for your pictures!!!!
Monique
What a great kick-off to one of Knoxville’s most fun Christmas events! And who doesn’t want to help the great folks at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital? I loved the Fifties theme “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree this year.
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