LARC prepares for Festival of Trees

TORRINGTON — LARC’s 17th Annual Festival of Trees at Valerie Manor, 1360 Torringford St., Torrington, opens Nov. 20 and closes with a Festival Bash on Nov. 29.

The festival is open daily from 1-7 p.m., when guests can enjoy the decorated themed trees and record their bids for a number of silent auction items, including beautiful trees, gift baskets, wreaths, tabletop holiday displays, and children’s items. There will be opportunities throughout the week to enter raffles for tickets to this year’s main event, the Festival Bash.

Thomaston Savings Bank is the sponsor of the Festival Bash, which will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 29. Guests can enjoy sumptuous appetizers, an assortment of wines and non-alcoholic beverages and holiday music as well as an auction. Tickets, which are $25 each, can be purchased online at www.litchfieldarc.org.

The following themed evenings are free thanks to the support of sponsors, including WZBG:

Festival opening: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 5:30-7 p.m.; North Pole Night: Friday, Nov. 23, 6-7 p.m.; Visit with Santa: Saturday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. - Noon; LARC Appreciation Night, Monday, Nov. 26, 3:30-5 p.m.; “The Polar Express” Story Night, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 6-7 p.m.; “The Grinch” Story Night, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 6-7 p.m.; Festival Bash, Thursday, Nov. 29, 5:30-7 p.m. (ticketed event)

The Festival of Trees is one of two major fundraising events LARC holds each year. Funds raised by the Festival enhance the quality of life of LARC program participants. Support has enabled children with special needs attend Camp MOE and allowed hundreds of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities enjoy the Holiday Party, Spring and Fall Dinner Dances, and Summer Pizza Picnic. Proceeds from the Festival have also provided field trips for students in the School to Community Transitions Program, and many recreational trips and activities throughout the year.

For more information about the Festival of Trees, go to www.litchfieldarc.org