Festival of Trees Turns Clarke School Into a Winter Wonderland

Paula Picket, Coldwell banker made a yeti tree. || Monica Sager
The Dandreo family has a tree with board games, wine and gift cards || Monica Sager
S.U.R.E. Diversity has wreaths on display || Monica Sager
Ballet slippers on a wreath || Monica Sager
Hand prints make up the First Church Nursery School wreath || Monica Sager
A Mission by the Bay and a Vinnin Nails and Spa gift card are featured on a pink tree || Monica Sager
Discovery Point has a tree with ornaments made by students || Monica Sager
Swampscott Police Department decorated its tree with police ornaments, donuts, snowmen and crime scene tape || Monica Sager
Trees by uGlow Med Spa and Caponicro Construction || Monica Sager
A Big Blue tree features merch || Monica Sager
Speak Up for Animals has a tree filled with pet treats and goodies. || Monica Sager
The Greater Salem Ballet Company has a nutcracker on display. || Monica Sager
The Swampscott Arts Association has a tree, with items for sale || Monica Sager
A Hanukkah box || Monica Sager
Ornaments for sale || Monica Sager

Residents can take a stroll through a winter wonderland at the Clarke School, and they may even be lucky enough to take home a wreath or tree.

The Swampscott Recreation Department is hosting its Festival of Trees through Saturday, featuring nearly 30 decorated trees and wreaths. Families and community-based organizations created the displays, which visitors can enter to win with raffle tickets.

At the entrance, after being greeted by seniors in the tax work-off program, visitors can purchase tickets at $5 for 25. They can then drop their tickets into the boxes next to their favorite trees and wreaths for a chance to take them — and their ornaments — home.

Swampscott Recreation Director Charlotte Daher de García said that about 100 groups stopped by on the first night the trees were on display. The Festival of Trees runs through Saturday.

There is still time to see the displays — or enjoy a second visit. Clarke School will open for viewing on Friday, December 5, from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, December 6, from noon to 6 p.m.

The displays range from a Swampscott Police Department tree to a handprint wreath created by the First Church Nursery School. Several dance companies submitted their own trees, and many decorations include gift cards to local restaurants and spas. One tree even features a collection of makeup products.

The Swampscott Arts Association is selling a variety of ornaments to support Anchor Food Pantry.

Swampscott Unites, Respects, Embraces (S.U.R.E.) Diversity has wreaths at the start of the hallway.

“By sharing our stories and by celebrating our differences, we uncover the many ways our lives are connected. These stories weave together to strengthen the fabric of our community,” a sign reads. “S.U.R.E Diversity celebrates connection – listening, learning and building new friendships. Just like these grapevine wreaths, we are each unique, yet beautifully intertwined.”

A pink tree was also created in honor of the Paskievich family’s Nana G.

“Enjoy our tinsel tree adorned with festive ornaments and including a manicure from Vinnin Nails and Spa. dinner at MOB and some La Suissa Chocolate for a sweet treat afterwards,” the sign reads.

High school students are hosting coloring sessions and wreath bead–making activities in auxiliary rooms along the hallway. Children can color mittens and snowmen or craft mini wreaths using pipe cleaners and red and green beads.

There are numerous other Recreation Department events coming up for the holidays: