Every year the appropriately named Forest Ballroom at Olympia’s Red Lion Inn is transformed into a magical Christmas Forest. Filled with artfully designed trees and wreaths in a variety of imaginative themes, the forest enchants visitors and kicks off the Christmas season. It also raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Providence St. Peter Foundation.
This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary. Co-Chairs Dr. Jay Rudd and Carla Rudd lead a dedicated team of volunteers to mark this milestone.
Through its gala and auction, raffle items, ticket sales, gift shop sales, and more, the foundation hopes to raise $475,000 to benefit the Providence mission to provide vital healthcare to our community.
It will also hold what it calls its Fund-A-Need to benefit the Providence St. Peter Sexual Assault Clinic and Child Maltreatment Center. The clinic provides services to children and families – over 350 each year in our area – impacted by sexual assault so they can begin the long journey of healing. “Sexual assault is way more prevalent than anyone can imagine, and these children deserve the best we can possibly provide to help them heal from this trauma.”
Kelle Schalin, special events manager at Providence St. Peter Foundation is in her sixth year organizing the 300 dedicated volunteers who make the forest a reality.
“Christmas Forest has something for everyone, from little kids to seniors,” Schalin says. “It has so many different events going on and everything revolves around the beautifully decorated trees and wreaths.”
Events include Ladies Night Out, Senior Day, Kids’ Day, and Family Day, with more than 5,000 guests purchasing tickets to take in the stunning Christmas Forest.
The annual Silver Bells Breakfast on Thursday, November 29th will also have a special appeal. The champagne breakfast, sponsored by Olympia Federal Savings, will raise money for the Providence St. Peter Regional Heart and Vascular Center. Schalin says, “Heart disease is the number one killer for men and women in Washington State, so this is a great way to ensure that high-quality, prompt treatment is available for people in our region.
The Silver Bells Breakfast, like all the scheduled events, takes place amidst the incredible forest of trees. It’s a lovely breakfast with live music to entertain guests.
There will be 28 trees and 13 wreaths on display this year. Themes include a peacock paradise wreath, Wizard of Oz wreath, an Irish Christmas-themed tree, and much more.
Other items are on display too– more than 40 items — will be auctioned off at the sold out gala on November 30th.
Individuals or businesses sponsor all trees and wreaths. Schalin puts together a design team for each, made up of volunteers. “Some are interior decorators, but they come from all different parts of the community,” she says. “One thing they all have in common is that they are amazing tree decorators.”
Three of this year’s designers have been creating Christmas Forest trees for 25 years.
Schalin is quick to point out that visitors shouldn’t expect to see Christmas trees like those found in your average living room. “ “These trees have cool themes and are decked out from top to bottom. They always have an amazing tree topper. They are really professionally decorated trees.”
The majority of the trees are artificial, enabling them to go to businesses, homes or charities.
Opening Day kick-off is on Wednesday, November 28th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with special entertainment by the New Horizons Band and High Flutin’ Flute Ensemble.
That same evening is Ladies Night Out from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. offering a night of shopping with some of our area’s favorite retailers. “It’s a shopping extravaganza with drinks and food,” says Schalin, “and is a fun way to get some of your Christmas shopping done early while supporting some great local vendors!”
The Silver Bells Breakfast takes place on Thursday, November 29th, beginning at 9:00 a.m., accompanied by Chris Anderson Music.
Beginning at noon on the 29th is Senior Day, a public viewing of the fantastical Christmas Forest that’s enjoyed with live entertainment until 8:00 p.m. from Jerry Wagner, Happy Feet, the Capital Concert Band, Olympia Youth Flute Choir, and The Johnny Lewis Band.
Kids’ Day starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1st, running until 8:00 p.m. with kids’ activities from the Hands On Children’s Museum until 6:00 p.m. and a wide variety of live entertainment all day. Santa Claus will be there too, happy to pose for photos and chat with the children about their Christmas wish lists.
The Christmas Forest wraps up its highly anticipated season with Family Day on Sunday, December 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – one last chance to wander amongst the magical trees and wreaths amidst live music and holiday cheer.
Guests who buy tickets to the public viewings enjoy live entertainment from the time doors open until they close, with a variety of musical guests heightening the holiday spirit.
Ongoing throughout the days of the Christmas Forest is a raffle for $5 per ticket. Visitors can potentially land a variety of items, including their very own Christmas Forest tree.
The raffle tree is called “Polar Express” and the lucky winner has the tree delivered to their home.
Various businesses donate items for the raffle. Hartley Jewelers has provided a tennis bracelet, and a full-color Kindle Fire and Garmin GPS unit are available thanks to Fred Meyer.
Tickets are $6 per adult and $1 for children 10 and under for most events. Ladies Night Out tickets are $50 per adult and guests must be 21 or order to attend. Silver Bells Breakfast tickets are $22 per guest or $45 per patron. Senior Day prices are just $5 for seniors.
For more information about this year’s 25th anniversary Christmas Forest, visit the Christmas Forest website.
For more event photos, click here.
