by

Stu Clampitt

Hamilton County Reporter

The Festival of Trees is only a couple weeks away, but you can see and bid on some beautiful holiday creations right now at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center.

Saturday, Nov. 17 will be the fifth annual Hamilton County Festival of Trees, and it will be held at Bridgewater Country Club, 3535 E. 161st St., Westfield. The Festival of Trees is a dinner and Christmas tree auction to raise funds to help families in need during the holiday season.

All proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County, Inc., for their signature holiday food and assistance program for county residents.

The Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center has five trees displayed for Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County. This is the Festival of Trees Pre-Event Silent Auction that the public can view and bid on those trees.

Event Coordinator Kim Harden was in charge of finding the designers who decorated these themed Christmas trees, organizing the event, and helping promote it.

“For Thanksgiving and Christmas, people get food boxes,” Harden said. “At Christmas all the kids get three new gifts and clothes – whatever they need. Last year Good Samaritan helped 26,978 people who live in Hamilton County. I think people don’t realize we have lower income people who live in Hamilton County who work but are really struggling to make ends meet. Those are the people we want to help. “

Bidding on the trees at the judicial center started Monday and will end Nov. 16. Two days after the event, trees will be delivered to winning bidders by Two Men And A Truck moving company.

The Live Auction at Bridgewater with limited seating has sold out the past two years. You can purchase tickets for the live Festival of Trees Auction held at Bridgewater Club at gsnlive.org

Visit facebook.com/FestivalofTreesGSN for more information and pictures.