Holiday traditions abound for those in Northwest Indiana, but one standout event at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), the annual Festival of Trees, served multiple duty this year.
The 28th annual fundraiser, sponsored by The Women’s Association of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society (WANISS), included a recognition program, formal luncheon, socializing and a tour of 20 unique holiday trees set up in the CVPA atrium.
The first item on the morning’s agenda began with a program presented by John Cain, executive director of South Shore Arts, and Kirk Muspratt, director of the NWI Symphony.
“There is a long history to this festival,” Cain said, as he read the names of WANISS members key to the longevity of the event. “Each year, this celebration has ushered in the holiday season.”
Muspratt read some of the letters he has received from children in the community. Some were very touching, and some comical.
“One asked how much money I made,” he said, with a laugh, “And another mentioned his mother was a hairdresser.”
Muspratt is well known for his unique hairstyle.
The CVPA banquet room was filled to capacity with hundreds of attendees. Many were repeat visitors to the fundraiser.
“We put this event on the top of our holiday to-do list every single year,” said Amy Osana of Merrillville. “It’s such a large event that I get to see people I haven’t seen in a while; and I love to be able to support the Symphony and what they do.”
Desiree Holiman of Munster agreed that the fundraising affair was one of the ways the community could show appreciation for the many arms of the NWI Symphony.
“I’ve been to many of the performances, and I especially love the youth orchestra,” she said. “The musical arts are definitely alive and well in this area of Indiana.”
A tour of 20 decorated holiday trees outside the banquet room topped off the event.
The display ranged from a palm tree, complete with pink flamingo, to an old-fashioned spruce with large multi-colored lights.
Various organizations, such as the NWI Youth Orchestra and Tri-Kappa, designed the masterpieces.
“This palm tree is exciting to look at,” said visitor Marylee Kollinger of Dyer, as she looked over the ‘Hawaiian Christmas’ submission by Calumet College of St. Joseph. “I’ve never seen this kind of tree in a holiday show. It’s kind of refreshing.”
The Northwest Indiana Symphony umbrella includes the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra; the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus, and the Women’s Association of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society (WANISS).
The Women’s Association, which advocates the society’s programs, handles the most successful fundraising aspect.
In addition to the popular holiday Festival of Trees, other various fundraisers are scheduled throughout the year.
For more information, call WANISS at (219) 836-0525, ext. 206.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
