Fairfield Xmas Tree Fest: Dec. 4-7

Fairfield, CT - The 2014 Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival has selected The Center for Family Justice as its beneficiary this year. The theme for the 2014 Festival, which takes place December 4^th through December 7^th, is “Cherishing Family: The Greatest Gift Of All.”

Held at the historic Burr Homestead on 739 Old Post Road in Fairfield, doors open to the public on Friday, December 5^th from 10am-7pm; Saturday, December 6^th from 10am-4pm; and Sunday, December 7^th from 10am-4pm.

Stepping through the doors of the Burr Homestead the first weekend in December will be a holiday feast for the senses, guaranteed to satisfy everyone who loves this festive time of year. Visitors will be able to peruse the handmade trees, wreaths and heirloom-quality holiday decorations, which adorn the entire house. Each room will be carefully decorated by talented, local interior designers and every item will be for sale. Guests will enjoy a free hot cup of apple cider in the dining room; be inspired to create a custom, live wreath or select any of the garnished live wreaths lined on both sides of a walkway leading to the special events party tent. There will also be a boutique featuring unique gifts, stocking stuffers and ornaments for every person – or pet – on your gift list. On the second floor, children will be thrilled to find Santa’s room and have a photo taken.

General admission to the Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival at the Burr Homestead is $5-10. In addition, there are special events held for which advanced ticket purchase is required. These special event tickets may be purchased by visiting the Festival’s website at www.FairfieldChristmasTreeFestival.org.

The first special event is the Thursday, December 4^th, “Preview Gala” held from 7-10pm. This lively party kicks off the holiday season in style. Attendees can dance to the tunes of Band Together, feast on delicacies catered by Festivities and enjoy the open bar and the Festival’s signature martini bar. There will also be champagne “take-a-chance” to win jewelry donated by Henry C. Reid & Son Jewelers. Tickets to this event, sponsored by Moffly Media, begin at $150 per person.

On the evening of Friday December 5^th, the Festival's Annual Children's Event called "Let’s Build A Snowman" is one the entire family can enjoy. There will be face painting, a magician, crafts, music from St. Thomas Children’s Choir and a surprise visit from Santa. Guests will enjoy a chicken and pasta dinner, as well as treats generously donated by Billy's Bakery and The Pantry. The event is followed by an old-fashioned Christmas stroll to watch the annual tree lighting at the Fairfield Town Hall. This event is from 5-7pm and tickets to the children's event are $20 per adult, $10 per child and children under three years are free.

Saturday’s night will celebrate “Christmas Around the World” and is sponsored by Serendipity Magazine. This event will be an evening celebrating the cultures of different parts of the world with food pairings representative of those continents. Catered by Carl Anthony’s in Monroe, there will be food stations representing North America, South America, Europe and Asia; wine donated by Stew Leonard’s; and Guinness’s new blonde lager beer. There will be a DJ for dancing and entertainment. Attendees can also take-a-chance to win sports-themed and luxury items. This event runs from 7-10pm and tickets are $75 per person.

The Holiday Christmas Tea is back on Sunday, December 7^th from 12noon-2pm. Enjoy a formal Tea provided by The Royal Tea Company featuring Victorian gingerbread; Christmas cream puffs; scones with jam and cream; and their famous Royal Trifle, recently featured in Bon Appétit magazine. There will also be a variety of tea sandwiches – almond chicken, egg, cress and cucumber – all enjoyed with soothing Darjeeling tea from Bigelow Tea. In addition to tea, there will be white wine and sparkling wine graciously donated by Joseph Gintoli and water donated by Poland Spring. There will also be a take-a-chance for a beautiful piece of jewelry from Henry C. Reid & Son Jewelers. Tickets to the Tea are $50 per person. Tickets are limited and this event sells out quickly.

Also featured at the Festival will be a handmade quilt by local artist Cecily Zerega. Mrs. Zerega, also a longtime Board member, has been donating her talents each year and has produced another work of art. Grand prizewinner will receive the heirloom-quality “Holiday Wreath” hanging quilt made by quilt maker Zerega; 2^nd prize is a cross-stitched sampler depicting Burr Homestead with Fairfield landmarks; and 3^rd prize is a basket of garden tools. Winners will be announced on Sunday, December 7^th at 3pm. Tickets are $5 each and all proceeds from this Quilt Raffle will benefit the Burr Homestead Gardens.

All proceeds from this Dec 4^th-7^th Festival will benefit The Center for Family Justice (formerly The Center for Women and Families), which is dedicated to eliminating domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse through crisis intervention, education, advocacy and community collaboration. The Center for Family Justice brings all services – police officers, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, community-based advocates – under one roof, into its headquarters at 753 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. The Center maintains satellite offices in Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull, and serves residents in these five towns, in addition to Easton.  

“We are honored, thrilled and excited to be chosen as the beneficiary for the 2014 Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival,” says Debra A. Greenwood, President and CEO of The Center for Family Justice. “This could not have come at a better time for The Center, as we begin our transformation from The Center for Women and Families to the first Family Justice Center in Connecticut, and the 95th in the world. We are still offering the same life-saving services we have always offered to those being affected by domestic and sexual violence. It is the auxiliary services being co-located under one roof that will streamline how we turn victims into survivors.” For more information on The Center for Family Justice, please contact Sarah Lubarsky, Director of Development and Community Outreach at 203-334-6154 ext 31.

The Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival is an independent, non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to raise funds for local community projects. Over $3.7 million has been raised since the Festival’s inception in 1981. For all the latest news and updated information on the 2014 Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival or to purchase tickets to any special events, please visit www.FairfieldChristmasTreeFestival.org or follow us on Facebook.

Media sponsors of this year’s Festival include Star 99.9, Hersam Acorn, Moffly Media (exclusive Preview Gala sponsor) and Serendipity Magazine (exclusive “Christmas Around the World” sponsor).

Other generous sponsors include The Norma F. Pfreim Foundation, Dave and Lori Sprows (Preview Party); Cindy and Rob Citrone (Christmas Around the World); Elizabeth Pfriem (Children's Event); People's United Bank; Crooks Family; RD Scinto, Inc.; Joyce Hergenhan; and Peter and Catherine Gallagher.