Embassy Festival of Trees opens Wednesday night

Nov. 27--Wednesday evening marks the opening of the 29th annual Embassy Festival of Trees.

This year will feature 54 trees, one less than last year. The fundraiser is the largest and the signature event for the nonprofit historic theater. All proceeds are used for the daily operations of the Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., which opened in 1928 as the Emboyd Theatre and underwent major restoration several years ago. Last year the event brought in around $120,000, so this year organizers are hopeful for a little bit more, said Barb Richards, marketing director.

"You always hope to increase that figure each year," Richards said.

One of the new trees this year is the "A Very Mayhem Christmas" tree, sponsored by the Darren Vogt Agency /Allstate Insurance. Richards said because the tree is on its side she has been asked if the tree had fallen over; it has not.

About half the sponsors are new this year, including a tree from Carson's department store and one from Jefferson Pointe.

Also new is one of the four live trees sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power decorated by Creative Women of the World. It is in the Indiana Hotel Lobby attached to the theater. After the event, the live trees are donated to the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department.

The event opens Wednesday night, during the Night of Lights when several downtown light displays are aglow. The Festival of Trees runs through Dec. 4.

Winners announced

Judges evaluated the entries Tuesday and announced award winners in the Embassy Theatre's annual Festival of Trees.

Winners are:

-- Best in Show: Christmas Chic, decorated by Hartzog Interiors and sponsored by Senior Life/Home Indoor & Outdoor Living Glo Magazine, Division of TPI

-- Best Live Tree Design: A Celtic Christmas, decorated by FAME, sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power

-- Best Traditional Theme Design: Merry & Bright Pipes, decorated by The Embassy Theatre Pipe Organ Volunteer Crew, sponsored by the Embassy Theatre

-- Most Creativity: The Pirate's Night Before Christmas, decorated by Kathy James of the Corner House and sponsored by the Embassy Theatre

-- First Place, Artificial Tree Design: Champagne Wishes, decorated and sponsored by Carson's

-- Second Place, Artificial Tree Design: Painting a Merry Holiday, decorated and sponsored by A Party Apart

-- Third Place, Artificial Tree Design: Broadway Through the Years, decorated by Mark T. Carboni and Joel Gabbard and sponsored by Jam Theatricals

Judges were Karen Richards of the mayor's office staff at the City of Fort Wayne; Jean Ann Hedges of Three Rivers Apartments; and Charnae Davenport of WFFT, Channel 55.

The People's Choice Awards will be announced after the festival ends.

Winners receive a framed Festival of Trees artwork.

___

(c)2013 The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

Visit The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.) at www.news-sentinel.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services