Oldest Festival of Trees Celebration hosted at the Homestake Opera House

Description

Oldest Festival of Trees Celebration hosted at the Homestake Opera House LEAD, SD – Santa is coming to town during the 2016 Festival of Trees Vintage Holiday Celebration at the Historic Homestake Opera House (HHOH) the public is invited to attend this kickoff event to the Christmas season on Thursday, December 1 and Friday, December 2, 2016 at the HHOH theater at 313 W. Main Street. The oldest of its kind in the Black Hills, the original Festival of Trees began in December 1982 in the "Theater Built by a Gold Mine" and has continued on through the years as a well-attended community event and fundraiser in the mining community of Lead. Amidst a beautifully decorated lobby, foyer, and theater, attendees will enjoy mingling through the building, touring through heavily decorated and designed Christmas trees, wreaths, and unique vintage items, generously donated by HHOH supporters from the Northern Hills communities of Lead, Deadwood, Sturgis, Whitewood, and Spearfish. There’s also a silent auction and raffle items. Patrons will enjoy free cocoa and cider, cookies and candy, and of course, live music in the 103-year-old theater. The public is also invited to explore the new Interpretive Exhibit on the second floor that retells the entire history of the Opera House. The exhibit opened in May 2016. This event is made possible in part by Coeur-Wharf Gold Mine, Regional Health, KEVN Black Hills Fox TV, and Annie Creek Events. This annual fundraiser at the HHOH theater continues to assist in providing funds for music programming, restoration projects, and operations at the Homestake Opera House, and also a venue for donation of pet food and necessities for the Twin City Animal Shelter and nonperishable food items to stock the Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry in Lead. The Preview Night is Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with live music by the United Methodist Church HymnDingers Bell Choir and Lead Vocals a cappella, and have the option to pre-bid on beautiful trees, wreaths, & unique vintage items throughout the building and silent auction items. Santa will be available to have free professional photos taken on Thursday night with attendees, family, friends, and even pets. The Auction Night is Friday night starting at 5:00 pm and celebrated with a dual mixer by the Chambers of Commerce of Lead and Deadwood in which all are invited to attend, with light hors d'oeurves and cash bar with candy, cookies, cider, and cocoa. Live solo piano music is provided by pianist Ruth Groeneveld on the new Yamaha grand piano. At 6:45 pm is the start of the live auction of trees, wreaths, and unique vintage items by by Bob Bertolotto Real Estate & Auctions of Sturgis. A few of the items up for auction this year include a baby grand piano complete with home delivery, songbooks, and a professional tuning. Another unique item is a complete winter wedding package that includes the wedding dress, the flowers, the photography, and gift certificates for more. Another unique vintage item is a large 4-foot barbed wire wreath with lights and decor created with wire from historic Reynold’s Prairie near Rochford. Proceeds from the event support ongoing music programming, restoration projects, and operations at the HHOH. Free parking is located behind the building, on Main Street, and lot parking within four blocks or less from the theater. The building is wheelchair accessible and assistive listening devices are also available.
For more information contact the HHOH office at 605-584-2067 or visit HomestakeOperaHouse.org. The HHOH is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to returning the building to productive use for the enrichment of the community and to provide arts and culture and educational opportunities for generations to come. Support for the HHOH is provided in part by the HHOH annual members, the City of Lead, and the Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation. The HHOH is a equal opportunity provider and employer.