What’s New

The lucky winners of the trees, mini-trees, and wreaths of the 28th Annual Festival of Trees have all been chosen and are on their way to new homes in over 50 communities throughout Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire! 

The Festival of Trees’ annual Appreciation Party for tree donors and volunteers included the announcement of the 2021 Conifer Awards in eleven categories ranging from Most Beautiful to Most Traditional to Best Use of Lighting to Best Children’s Theme and several more. Each category includes a First, Second and Third Place Winner. Each winner receives a hand-blown crystal tree by Simon Pearce.

The 28th Annual Methuen Festival of Trees – which will take place from Friday, November 19th through Saturday, December 4th – will follow enhanced health and safety measures. The safety of our donors, volunteers, and guests is our highest priority.

What a difference a year makes!

The 28th Annual Festival of Trees will open on Friday, November 19th and run through Saturday, December 4th. The Festival Board is busy preparing for a safe and exciting Festival.

The winners of the trees, mini-trees, and wreaths of the 27^th Annual Festival of Trees have all been chosen and are on their way to new homes in 48 communities – including one in California!

In 2020 the Festival presented the Festival of Trees at Greycourt State Park! In a year when so many of our holiday traditions aren’t happening, our goal is to bring a COVID-safe, drive-thru festival of trees and lights to our community.

The Festival of Trees Board of Directors have announced plans to hold the 27^th Annual Festival of Trees ‘virtually’ this year. Although the Festival won’t be bringing record-breaking crowds to 13 Branch Street to experience the trees in person, the Festival will include an opportunity for our friends and supporters to win beautifully decorated trees and wreaths just like they always have.

The Methuen Festival of Trees, Inc. is looking for applicants for our 2020 Historic Preservation Grant Program (HPGP). The HPGP offers up to $10,000 for qualified historic preservation projects. The program is restricted to the restoration of historic features of a building or other historic structure. The grant is reimbursable to the applicant after the preservation work is completed.

The Festival of Trees is pleased to announce its annual Scholarship Program for 2020. A successful applicant for a Festival scholarship must be a resident of the Merrimack Valley who is a high school senior or a student currently enrolled in a college program. The Festival offers a minimum of two $1,000 scholarships each year.

The Festival of Trees is pleased to announce its 2^nd Annual Scavenger Hunt – A ‘Tree’ Grows in Methuen! – a one of a kind scavenger hunt adventure around Methuen on Saturday, September 7, 2019.

The Festival of Trees presented its 2019 Sharon M. Pollard Preservation Award to the First Church Congregational, UCC in Methuen, MA.

First Church Congregational, UCC – with its continual existence since 1729 – is one of Methuen’s most significant historic institutions. The 2019 Sharon M. Pollard Preservation Award is intended to recognize and celebrate First Church’s commitment to preserve their magnificent church for their congregation, for our community, and for future generations.

The Festival Board of Directors established its ‘Special Friend of the Festival’ Award in 2013 to recognize individuals and organizations that have contributed in significant ways to the success of the Festival of Trees. This year, the Festival was pleased to add American Training, Inc. of Andover, MA to its list of distinguished honorees.

The Festival of Trees has awarded scholarships to four outstanding young people – Jeffrey DiNitto, a graduate of St. John’s Preparatory School; Anthony Florio, Samantha Gaigals, and Sarah Lindtveit graduates of Methuen High School. Each honoree was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

The Festival of Trees was honored to receive a Small Business Recognition Award from the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s at its annual recognition event on Friday, June 14^th at DiBurro’s Function Facility in Haverhill.

Teams of volunteers sponsored by the Festival of Trees participated in this year’s Relay for Life events sponsored by the American Cancer Society in Methuen and Haverhill. Combined, the two Festival teams raised $7,177 to support the fight against cancer.

The Festival of Trees is pleased to announce its annual Scholarship Program for 2019. A successful applicant for a Festival scholarship must be a resident of the Merrimack Valley who is a high school senior or a student currently enrolled in a college program. The Festival offers a minimum of two $1,000 scholarships each year.

The Methuen Festival of Trees, Inc. is looking for applicants for their 2019 Historic Preservation Grant Program (HPGP).  The deadline for applying is March 15, 2019.

The HPGP offers up to $10,000 for qualified historic preservation projects.  The program is restricted to the restoration of historic features of a building or other historic structure.  The grant is reimbursable to the applicant after the preservation work is completed.