Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Festival marks major milestone
Group celebrates its first century
The Festival of Trees and auction on Dec. 9 topped off Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center’s yearlong 100th anniversary celebration with members, leaders and other supporters gathered at the property’s Parker Hall in Fayetteville.
The fundraiser’s auction of Christmas trees festively decked by community members highlighted the cocktail party that featured music provided by cellist Christian Serrano-Torres, bites from Fire and Lightning catering and a prosecco toast “to Mount Sequoyah and all that it is.”
The independent nonprofit organization’s offerings include Camp Sequoyah day camp for children ages 5-12 throughout the summer and during school breaks; Creative Spaces supporting arts residencies; the Fenix Youth Refuge Experience (F.Y.R.E.) after school program for students ages 12 to 18 who identify as part of the LGBTQAI+ community and allies; swim team and pool; and tennis, according to the website.
Structures on the 400-acre campus afford accommodations ranging from individual rooms to houses to dormitory-style group lodges.
“It’s more than just a property; it’s more than just these buildings,” Emily Gentry, CEO, told guests. “Mount Sequoyah is so special and it is something that is worth preserving and maintaining for the next hundred years. There’s a lot left to be done to make this possible. We have historic, aging infrastructure — everything needs to be updated and maintained so that it can stay beautiful for the future.”
“It’s this thriving community. It’s a place where people can come and enjoy nature, enjoy programs,
enjoy events. Kids are swimming in the pool or they’re learning life skills such as lifesaving, which in an area surrounded by lakes and rivers, is a vital skill for these kids. We have kids coming to camp trying new things and making new friends. We have artists making up a community actively creating and pursuing their art while at Mount Sequoyah.
“Mount Sequoyah is synonymous with peaceful and serene and we want to maintain that and make it accessible for others. We want everyone in our area to enjoy the little slice of Fayetteville that this represents — that culture and that history that’s been here since 1922.”
Festival of Trees sponsors included lead sponsor the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation joined by Experience Fayetteville, Denise and Hershey Garner, First Security Bank, Collier Drug Stores, Underwoods Fine Jewelers, MANA Family Medicine, Ozark Dermatology, Marian C. Bolen Family, Jane & David Gearhart and The Brush Family.