Annual Festival of Trees lights up downtown Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Sisters Amelia and Ava Rieck got a chance to visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and a few elves on Saturday at the annual Festival of Trees in downtown Cedar Rapids.

But it was the girls - Amelia, 6 and Ava, 7 - who brought the presents.

Accompanied by their father, Shannon Rieck, 44, of Oxford, and grandmother, Sue Meyer, 66, of Keystone, the girls had with them donations for the annual Toys for Tots drive in Linn County.

Meyers said they wanted to teach the girls to 'count our blessings and share.”

'It's what Christmas is all about,” she said.

Indeed, the spirit of the holidays was in the air Saturday, as the Festival of Trees & Holiday Market kicked off its two-day run at the DoubleTree hotel and convention center, 350 First Ave. NE. The event - sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors and Meth-Wick Community and produced by The Gazette and Cedar Rapids Jaycees - continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Admission is free.

The event features more than 50 decorated Christmas trees and about 25 vendors selling all kinds of holiday items. The trees are being auctioned for charity through silent and live auctions. The live auction - featuring about 20 trees - takes place today from 3 to 5 p.m. Proceeds from the auction benefit charity.

Toni Claussen, sales manager at Meth-Wick Community, 1224 13th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, said the organization's tree honors the assisted and independent living center's 55 years of operation.

'The main reason we're at this really good venue is to celebrate our years as a not-for-profit,” Claussen said. 'But it's not just to get Meth-Wick's name out there, but to serve the community and do community outreach.”

Several trees are sponsored by area companies and being auctioned for specific charities, like Junior Achievement and Four Oaks. Proceeds not earmarked for a specific charity are to benefit organizations and programs supported by the Cedar Rapids Jaycees, including Toys for Tots and HACAP's Adopt a Family.

The Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors is the sponsor of a tree for Four Oaks, an organization focused on child welfare and juvenile justice throughout the state. Success Manager Theresa Jones and Katie Curtis, director of Integrated Health Home at Four Oaks, said they attended Festival of Trees to talk to visitors about the services the organization offers and promote a program through which individuals can buy a Christmas gift for a child who lives in the Four Oaks system, and would otherwise not receive a gift on Dec. 25.

Curtis said there are about 70 children in Cedar Rapids medical or residential treatment facilities.

'It's hard enough some of these kids don't have somewhere to go home to, but hopefully this gift can give them a sense of normalcy on Christmas,” Curtis said.

Saturday's turnout to Festival of Trees was robust and organizers expect another busy day Sunday. Last year, 9,000 people attended.

Among those you'll find at this year's event is Bill Rieckhoff, owner of Great American Popcorn Co., 1121 Third St. SE in NewBo. He's one of the vendors selling goods at the holiday market. This is his second year attending the event, which he called a great networking opportunity.

'It's not so much about what I sell here, it's about who I meet,” Rieckhoff said.

Those heading out today, may want to plan their visit around a couple musical performances. Gotta Love It takes the stage from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and Profound Sound Quartet performs from 1 to 1:45 p.m.

Also, Santa and Mrs. Claus are back to visit with children.

They'll be in the Children's Room at the following times: 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.; 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.; 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.; 1:15 to 1:45 p.m.; 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.; 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.; and 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Free cocoa and cookies are being served and kids can write their holiday wishes and drop them into a vintage mailbox.