50+ Lifestyles

2009 Quad City Arts Festival of Trees

“SPARKLE”

Downtown Davenport will be aglow for Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, November 20-29th. Under the direction of Co-Directors, Joni Parish-Doane and Joscelyn Welshons, the goal of this year’s fundraiser is to attract more visitors and raise awareness to the programming of Quad City Arts. The theme for the event is Sparkle! – The arts sparkle your life.

Bringing the efforts of Quad City Arts to the forefront are many new additions:

• Posters highlighting programs at Quad City Arts and a video running showcasing the impact of the agency in our community.

• Visiting Artists, “m-pact” will perform at the Red Carpet Room for our sponsors and at the Holiday Pops Concert with the Quad City Symphony and Cirque de Symphonie.

• Local artists’ wares and local authors books will be featured in the Gift Shop, Tinsel Treasures

• Guest storytellers and readers will be featured under the Book Tree and books from the tree will be distributed after Festival to local social service agencies for the children in our community. Anyone who is interested in donating a new children’s book for the tree may drop them off at Quad City Arts’ gallery.

Back by popular demand for 2009, is the North Pole. This children’s activity center in the Mississippi Hall will feature favorite crafts and games that were the success of the area last year. Santa will take his throne in the North Pole again with photo opportunities available. Activity tickets will be available for each of these attractions. Two-Punch tickets can be purchased for $1.00 each or cards of 25 punches for $10 will also be sold. Any amount of punches can be purchased for fifty cents each. This popular spot at Festival is a perfect place to entertain the grandchildren!

Festival’s senior citizen event, the Silver Bell Social will be held on Friday, November, 20 from 9am till noon. This private party will feature refreshments and special entertainment on CenterStage. Following the party will be a NEW event called Jingle Bell Bingo. Attendees of the morning event can stay and play Bingo, or those wanting to come just for Bingo will be charged the normal admission price of $8 for adults, $6 for Seniors and $3 for children. Bingo cards will be available for purchase at various rates depending on the amount of cards purchased and special prizes are being awarded.

In its 18th year is the Holiday Parade which will feature a host of helium filled balloons, bands, floats and entertainers. The Distinguished Clown Corps will once again bring color and humor to the parade route and an exciting addition to this year’s lien up will be the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile

The RiverCenter will shimmer with more designs than in recent years, created by seasoned designers and more than ever first time designers. Trees, Hearth and Home displays, Holiday Entries, Decorated Doors, Miniatures, Stockings and Ornaments and Teen Trees once again are the main attraction of Festival.

New for this year’s Festival will be:

• A Guest Services kiosk offering Festival guests directions to attractions within Festival, as well as local businesses and area arts organizations’ locations and events. Additionally this hospitality service will provide answers regarding parking, lost and found, handicap needs, and first aid.

• The Modern Woodmen CenterStage will feature an LED lit curtain, which will frame over 100 different performances.

• Upstairs the upper concourse will feature a new spot to take a break and re-energize. “Rudolph’s Relaxation Station, sponsored by Mediacom will feature a big screen TV donated by Zeglin’s and free Wi Fi will be available. The room offers a great overlook view of Festival, and will be accommodated with comfortable seating.

With much anticipation, Festival’s 100+ member Steering Committee hopes to attract record crowds to this year’s fundraiser. Over 3,000 volunteers are needed to make this spectacle happen. To be a part of this amazing holiday wonder, email: fotvolunteers@qconline.com.