The Festival of Trees, 2015: Westward Ho, Ho, Ho! is a rich tapestry of all aspects of life in the Old West, including the near extinction of the American bison; photo and manipulation by Jason Velazquez.
The Festival of Trees, 2015: Westward Ho, Ho, Ho! is a rich tapestry of all aspects of life in the Old West, including the near extinction of the American bison; photo and manipulation by Jason Velazquez.

Will Call #37 — Festival of Trees at the Berkshire Museum

November 29, 2015
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Wander the dusty (soon to be snowy) streets of an Old West town right on the lawn of the Berkshire Museum; photo by Jason Velazquez.
Wander the dusty (soon to be snowy) streets of an Old West town right on the lawn of the Berkshire Museum; photo by Jason Velazquez.

 

It’s a grand celebration of the American West with the Festival of Trees 2015: Westward Ho Ho Ho! on view to the public from Saturday, November 14, 2015, through Sunday, January 3, 2016.

"Sonoran Sunset," designed by Betsy Sherman, chairwoman of the Festival of Trees Committee, and erected by the Sherman Investment Group—RBC Wealth Management; photo by Jason Velazquez.
“Sonoran Sunset,” designed by Betsy Sherman, chairwoman of the Festival of Trees Committee, and erected by the Sherman Investment Group—RBC Wealth Management; photo by Jason Velazquez.

Berkshire Museum Director of Development Nina Garlington, and Director of Communications Lesley Ann Beck talk with Gail about this annual holiday event, which this year features more than 100 twinkling, tantalizing holiday trees decorated to evoke the adventure and romance of the American West.

Festival of Trees 2015: Westward Ho Ho Ho! is proudly sponsored by Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners Inc.; Pittsfield Cooperative Bank; RBC Wealth Management; and Berkshire Magazine.

The much-anticipated Festival of Trees features creative holiday trees sponsored by businesses, schools, and community organizations, inspired by this year’s theme of Westward Ho Ho Ho!Visitors can expect to see lots of wonderful trees with cowboy hats and boots, bright bandannas, horses, bison, stagecoaches, and all kinds of Western memorabilia. The Festival of Trees is a significant fundraiser for Berkshire Museum every year — the proceeds benefit the education programs that provide more than 17,000 educational experiences annually.

What a relief to know that this nymph was never lost at all—just another pioneer seeking fame and fortune in the Old West; photo by Jason Velazquez.
What a relief to know that this nymph was never lost at all—just another pioneer seeking fame and fortune in the Old West; photo by Jason Velazquez.

This year’s Western theme is inspired by the dual American West exhibitions, National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West and Go West, on view September 26-January 3. Experience the magnificent, intriguing, and ever-changing American West in compelling photographs and fascinating objects. The traveling exhibition National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West features stunning photography from the last 125 years. Go West, organized by the Museum’s staff, includes objects, artwork, and interactive stations pertaining to the grand adventure of the American West.

Anais_Mitchell performs Friday, December 4, 7:30 p.m. at the MCLA Church St. Center, photo submitted by artist.
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