The Huguley Fire Department will host its annual Festival of Trees this upcoming weekend.

The festival offers the chance to bid on fully-decorated Christmas trees and wreaths with proceeds benefitting the fire department.    

“Sponsors buy and decorate the trees, or they buy the tree, and we [at the fire department] decorate,” Fire Chief Stan Taylor said. 

Trees and wreaths will be available through silent auction. 

The festival also features vendors for adults to shop and a playland for the kids. 

“Children can talk to Santa, and there will be picture opportunities as well,” Taylor said. “Photographer Frank Montroy will be taking pictures and will make them available for free on his website.”

The department will be giving away free smoke detectors and visitors can get hands-on experience working a fire extinguisher.

“It’s a good time and good fun,” Taylor said. “It’s an early start to the holiday season and an opportunity to pick up a pretty, decorated tree. Proceeds go to the fire department to buy needed equipment.” 

Taylor said one project being funded is the new fire station for Cusseta. Part of the proceeds will go to that building fund. 

A black tie Gala Dinner will end the event on Saturday night. Firefighters will be honored for their work throughout the year. Dinner will be catered by Huckleberry’s BBQ and bluegrass music provided by the Lard Bucket Band. 

The festival is at Happy Valley Baptist Church located at 1623 49th Ave. in Lanett.  It runs Friday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gala Dinner is 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Tickets for the festival are $5 and children 12 and under get in free. On Friday, visitors are encouraged to bring a toy in lieu of admission. It should be a new toy of $10 or more value. 

“The toys go to Happy Valley Church for their angel tree, and they’re given to any family that needs toys for Christmas,” Taylor said. “It’s also a thank you to the church for letting us use their facility.”       

The Gala Dinner is $20 and tickets are available to the public until sold out. Tickets for both events are available at the Huguley Fire Department.