The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City will host The 26th Annual Long Island Festival of Trees this weekend, Friday Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 29.
This annual holiday event is renowned for its array of designer-decorated trees and gingerbread village and features continuous live entertainment, Santa, vendor marketplace, children’s activities, Department 56 village and display, and more. All trees and gingerbread are for sale and all proceeds raised benefit the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc. and the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
Star Wars will be the special theme on Saturday, with the group from the 501st Legion and Empire City Garrison mingling with guests from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Their crowd pleasing “Blast a Trooper” event will take place on the second floor from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The group will be center stage in the entertainment area from 2 until 3 p.m. taking about their experiences and taking questions from their fans in the audience.
The STAR WARS tree will be on display the whole weekend and is available for sale to the highest bidder
The Empire City Garrison, or ECG, is the New York division of The 501st Legion, the world’s definitive Star Wars costuming organization, bringing to life some of the most recognizable characters in the Star Wars universe, including Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Captain Rex, Commander Cody and a veritable army of Stormtroopers and Clone Troopers.
There will be continuous entertainment including many talented dance and choral groups. The display of 40 6 ½ ft. trees will amaze you! Chief Equipment is doing a “John Deere” themed tree that comes with a kid-size John Deere ride-on equipment!
The unique trees by community groups and designers include, “Sweet 16” by the Long Island Children’s Museum, which features ornaments designed to look like popular sweet treats by children who visit the museum in celebration of the new year 2016. The Theresa Academy of Performing Arts from Lido Beach will create “Frosty the Snowman with the help of the talented student artist who participate in their programs for students with special needs. The LI Quilters Society based in Freeport’s tree is called “Starry Night” and every ornament will be handmade.
The Fashion Design Club from Nassau Community College is doing a “Dress of Many Colors” tree with all handmade dolls wearing costumes that reflect their heritage! The Syosset High School National Art Honor Society is doing a tree all in their school colors, red, white and black. There will be a Jets tree that comes with an autographed football. “Santa Paws” by designers from Massapequa will appeal to all the dog lovers out there! The Nassau County Firefighters Museum’s tree is called “Hot Stuff” and another tree called a “Firehouse Dream” is certain to be of interest.
The Homemakers Council of Nassau County’s tree is called “Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole” and will include more than a hundred ornaments all handmade by crafters from all over Nassau County!
“The Nassau Homemakers are very dedicated to the Cerebral Palsy Association year-round as volunteers,” said Cathy Lupo. “Our members helped to decorate hundreds of the small trees on display and for sale at the Festival. We are so happy to be able to help such a worth organization year after year.”
These trees and more are all for sale and, in addition, there will be 300 2 ½ ft trees in all different themes and wreaths and swags for sale with all the proceeds going to CP Nassau.
Culinary students from the Barry Tech Institute in Westbury are creating almost 100 original gingerbread creations! Some of the creations will feature the Star Wars theme, so look for some Darth Vaders good enough to eat!
With paid admission, children will get to decorate a gingerbread cookie with all sorts of fun trimmings in the cookie area. Entrance to the Cradle of Aviation Museum is included with paid admission to the Festival.
The ticket to enter the museum normally costs $14 so guests are truly getting a real bargain while helping raise funds for 2 great organizations and having an enjoyable time!
Hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $15 adults, $10 children (2 to 12), (children under two are admitted free.)
Tickets are available online at www.cradleofaviation.org
For information call 516-378-2000 ext. 648 or go to www.ucpn.org
