More Trees and Activities for 2015 Merry-Time Festival of Trees

The Merry-Time Festival of Trees runs Nov. 14 – Dec. 8 at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Submitted.

More trees, more activities and more fun sum up the return of the Merry-Time Festival of Trees at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Joyously celebrate the holidays by enjoying dozens of beautifully decorated Christmas trees scattered throughout the museum’s galleries.

The festival will run from Nov. 14 through Dec. 8 and will feature artificial trees lovingly decorated by local organizations and businesses. Visitors may see this holiday extravaganza during regular museum hours of 10 am to 5 pm daily and have the opportunity to enter a raffle in the hopes of winning their favorite tree to take home for Christmas.

Every day will be “kid’s day” during the festival, as children accompanied by an adult will receive free admission to the museum with a nominal Cana Island Lighthouse donation. The regular adult admission of $10 will apply during the festival with one free raffle ticket.

Hosts of additional special events begin on Nov. 14 at 10:30 am with a Holiday Cooking Demo with Morag Hornsby of Serves You Right Catering. Registration is $20 and includes cooking demo, samples of prepared foods, recipes, holiday refreshments and free museum admission.

On Nov. 28, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm, have a “Tail Waggin’ Fun Kid’s Day” with the family. Children will enjoy the Sea Dogs exhibit, a doggy scavenger hunt, face painting, crafts, games and more.

The second highly sought-after family event occurs with the annual appearance by Santa Claus on the tug John Purves, Dec. 5 from 10 am to 1 pm. Join Santa onboard the historic tugboat to share Christmas wishes. Due to the size of the tug, only two adults can accompany each child. Adult museum admission includes a Santa visit. As a special treat, the Door County Medical Center’s Children’s Choir will perform holiday specialties at 11 am and will feature Dorothy Scott with a trio of angelic voices.

The museum will be one of several stops on the inspirational DOOR CANcer Holiday Home Tour. This year the tour includes several homes and a guest house beautifully trimmed for the holidays along with free admission to the museum to view the Merry-Times Festival of Trees displays. Tickets for the home tour are $30 and are available at the museum.

The festival ends on Dec. 8 with “Jingle, Jingle, Mix & Mingle.” Join our festivities, a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, a new and energetic live auction, a themed gift basket silent auction, and our Merry-Time Festival of Trees raffle drawing. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Advanced reservations are required.

For more information or to register for the Holiday Cooking Demo, call 920.743.5958 or visit dcmm.org.