EAST LONGMEADOW — The Norcross Center will host its inaugural East Longmeadow Holiday Tree & Wreath Festival on Friday, Dec. 6 from 4-7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1-4 p.m. Create and donate a holiday tree or wreath that reflects your business, interest or in memory of a loved one.
Board member Maria Themistos said, “Right now, we are looking for local retailers, organizations and individuals to consider donating a decorated tree or wreath to have on display. You can decorate it however you would like. Whether it would be a Disney theme, all things pink, a wreath filled with gift cards or a tree with all things sweets promoting a local bakery.”
She went on to say, “The idea is that when people are walking through, they’re thinking how beautiful it is and how much they would love to win a tree or wreath. Raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win. Proceeds will assist in the preservation and maintenance of this historical home.”
Located at 89 Maple St., the Norcross House was built in the 1880s as a summer home for the family of J. Franklin Norcross. The architectural style is a late Victorian version of the Greek Revival period. With its three gabled wings, scrolled posts and bay window, the house reflects a gracious family living in the Victorian age. A carriage house, one of the few remaining in town, stands northeast of the house. The Norcross Center is a nonprofit organization focused on the preservation of this historic home as well as bringing arts and culture to the community. They host a craft fair each spring and summer and offer art and music classes periodically. They also rent out the space for various other types of events such as showers, weddings, and celebrations of life.
“There is always something happening at the Norcross Center,” Themistos added. “We are always looking for board members. Get involved. Come join me and others make our town even better. We live in an amazing town. We have so much going on, but there’s a lot more happening in East Longmeadow than our average resident may be aware of.”
Themistos was at a board meeting and the board started talking about the annual Tree Lighting event that happens at the center of town. When Themistos suggested a Tree and Wreath Festival to get local businesses and people interested in, the board all agreed this would be another great way to celebrate the town of East Longmeadow and all the wonderful things they have in their community. “We want folks to be able to come to the Norcross Center and take a stroll through magically decorated trees and wreaths,” said Themistos. “To be able to walk through our doors and have the holiday spirit and sense of community warm their spirits and walk out of there saying ‘wow, East Longmeadow is an amazing town.’”
To sign up, log on to the Norcross Center homepage of their website at norcrosscenter.org. If businesses, individuals, or organizations would like to participate, but do not want to donate a wreath or a tree, the center would happily accept gift cards to your business, and they will decorate a wreath for you. You can also visit their Facebook page.
