Cape Fear Festival of Trees Begins Nov. 22 at Aquarium
OCT. 23, 2024
WILMINGTON, NC – Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s (LCFL) annual Cape Fear Festival of Trees will begin Nov. 22 and continue through Dec. 30 at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. One of the area’s favorite and longest running holiday traditions, Cape Fear Festival of Trees offers visitors to the aquarium a spectacular forest of festively decorated trees throughout its engaging aquatic displays.
Admission to the aquarium is all that is needed to enjoy the festival; standard admission rates apply. All tickets must be reserved in advance on the aquarium’s website. Lower Cape Fear LifeCare receives no funds from ticket sales during the event. Donations are greatly appreciated and support the nonprofits mission to improve quality of life for local people and families living with serious illnesses.
“We’re looking forward to another wonderful year of the festival at the Fort Fisher Aquarium,” Katie Tate, director of foundation, said. “The venue compliments the trees perfectly. When standing on the lower floor from the right vantage point and looking up at the mezzanine, the sight of all those trees is simply magnificent.”
Area businesses, groups, organizations, families and individuals sponsor the trees. Sponsors decorate their trees in a theme of their choosing. Sponsors can also request Lower Cape Fear LifeCare volunteers decorate their tree to fit their theme.
“Each year, guests are treated to creative and fascinating tree themes,” Tate continued. “Some sponsors decorate in a way that represents their mission, is a take-off on a current trend, focuses on the services or products that the particular business offers, or honors and remembers loved ones.”
Another feature of the festival is the annual wreath sale. Volunteers and LCFL team members create a variety of handmade holiday wreaths that visitors can purchase. From classically traditional to fun and funky to popular holiday themes – there’s a wreath to fit every style and taste. For the best selection, visitors should plan on going to the festival in the first couple of weeks.
“Proceeds from the festival gained through tree sponsorships, donations from visitors, and wreath sales all go to work right here in our community providing care and support to local individuals and families living with serious or life-limiting illnesses,” Tate said. “Lower Cape Fear LifeCare never turns anyone away based on their ability to pay.”
Cape Fear Festival of Trees offers visitors to the aquarium a fantastic bonus for their price of admission. It is a great way to entertain children on school break and/or friends and family visiting during the holidays, to get holiday decorating ideas, or simply get in the holiday spirit.
“Cape Fear Festival of Trees is one of the longest-running holiday traditions of the Cape Fear area,” Tate concluded. “Each year, thousands of people visit festival and delight in its magic.”
People interested in booking a specific date should reserve their tickets early on the aquarium website. The aquarium and festival will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to the highest quality LifeCare, education, and supportive services to our patients, their families, and the communities we serve. For more information, visit lifecare.org.
