photo by: Emma Delk

Festival of Trees decorator Rebecca Niess prepares the “Wicked” themed tree created by Brandon Tucker, Denise Wycherley of Attic Picker and Patty Morris.

The 29 decorators who have put their blood, sweat and tinsel into the 32 trees featured in this year’s Festival of Trees will unveil their creations tonight during the event’s opening gala at the Pine Room at Oglebay Resort.

Proceeds from the sale of the decorated trees will go to Wheeling Health Right, which provides free comprehensive medical care and pharmaceuticals for medically underserved, uninsured or under-insured residents in and around the Ohio Valley.

Preparations for the festival began last Sunday. Decorators put the finishing touches on their creations yesterday to be ready for pricing today. Festival of Trees Founder Ivan Myles said this was one of the smoothest setups for the festival he could remember.

Myles founded the festival alongside Donna Glass 20 years ago. The pair passed the mantle of the event to Oglebay Institute 12 years ago, but decided to retake the reins to organize this year’s event at the same location the inaugural festival was held.

Though they had an over decade-long hiatus from the festival, Myles said organizing and setting up the trees this year was much easier than he originally anticipated. He added he “could not believe” the number of trees on display and decorators participating in the event.

“The setup went so smoothly it was almost like we never took a step away,” Myles said. “All the decorators are happy the festival is back at the Pine Room because it is the room that everybody feels comfortable in. Decorators like this space because it’s a wide-open room.”

The 32 trees were decorated to fit a wide variety of themes, from a Disney tree with ornaments displaying popular movie characters to a Disco-Christmas tree covered in reflective disco ball snowmen.

The floor of the Pine Room is filled not only with trees for the festival but also with wreaths and a large train display.

Local train enthusiast Steven Mitch organized the two Lionel Trains on display. One train is themed “Polar Express,” while the other is the newest Lionel Trains holiday-themed set.

The train sets will be raffled off during the festival’s final day. The raffle will be $1 for one ticket or $5 for six tickets. Birdhouses and bird feeders, courtesy of the Wheeling Park High School Carpentry program, will also be on display and for sale at the festival.

The trees, wreaths, birdhouses and bird feeders will be on sale starting tonight at the Opening Night Gala from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Pine Room. The $40 per person admission provides attendees the first chance to purchase a tree and talk to the decorators about their creations. Trees can be purchased by check, cash and debit card. An ATM is available at the Pine Room.

The trees will remain on display at the Pine Room until Saturday, Nov. 23. Visitors are welcome to tour the display Nov. 16-22 from noon to 8 p.m. The festival will be open on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 12 to 7 p.m.

In addition to viewing the tree displays, visitors can enjoy a variety of classes and events throughout the festival.

A beer and bourbon tasting will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 7 to 10 p.m., and a senior day with entertainment will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The festival will conclude with two Breakfast with the Grinch events next Saturday. Nov. 23 at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., followed by a wine-tasting event from 7 to 10 p.m.

Festival of Trees decorator Rebecca Niess will host bow-making classes on Monday, Nov. 18,, from 1 to 3 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. The classes are $20 per person.

Purchasers can pick up their trees as early as the late afternoon on Nov. 23. Trees can also be wrapped up and delivered to purchasers by Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration on Sunday, Nov. 24.

“Everything has fallen into place this year,” Myles said. “We’re doing something good for the community, and it’s a fun event that I’m just glad to be a part of. We’re glad to return a holiday event to where it started.”