Festival of Trees
The 26th Annual Festival of Trees lights up the halls of the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History with nearly 60 trees from November 22 through January 1, 2009. Groups including Scouts, 4-H clubs and adult crafts clubs participated in the ceremonial decorating tradition, which is attracting new groups every year.
 New this year, the Hastings Museum has teamed up with Stuhr Museum for a little friendly competition to see who can raise the most food for the needy in their area. Visitors are asked to bring a new non-perishable food item to the museum from November 22 through December 31. The food will be given to The Food Pantry of Hastings and distributed to those in need this holiday season.
"These trees bring a festive touch and fill the museum like a forest," said Drew Ceperley, director of marketing and membership. "Visitors will enjoy seeing the new trees and the old favorites such as the tree from South Central Nebraska Czech Society which has participated every year for the past 26 years."
Ceperley encourages visitors to celebrate the holiday spirit by not only viewing the trees but also by enjoying the holiday favorite 'Tis the Season in the J.M. McDonald Planetarium. The sky show will play through January 4, 2009.
"Visitors can also take care of some of their holiday shopping in The Museum Store while they're here and by purchasing admission passes, memberships and gift certificates," said Ceperley.
Visitors can view the trees through January 1, 2009, with regular museum admission or museum membership. The museum and Lied Super Screen Theatre will be closed Thursday, December 25 for Christmas. For more information, please call Visitor Services at 402-461-4629 or 1-800-508-4629.
If your group would like to participate in the Festival of Trees, please click to go to the signup page.
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