It has established itself as the premier kickoff for the holiday season in Lewiston-Auburn, and it’s back, bigger and better than ever, for its fifth consecutive year. Named for the distinctive headgear by which Shriners are known throughout the world, the FEZtival of Trees returns to the Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston.

“We just can’t thank the community enough,” said Tim Luttrell, committee member since its inception. “We hoped that the FEZtival could become an affordable, fun, family activity that would start the season, but the level of support we’ve gotten from the community has well exceeded our initial expectations. Attendance has more than tripled since we started – more than 7,000 people visited the FEZtival last year – and there will be more than 50 trees on display this year.” Trees are sponsored by individuals and businesses, are fully decorated, and are arrayed in the temple’s great Ceremonial Hall for two weeks in November.

Visitors can participate in raffles for each individual tree, many of which are festooned with gift certificates and other prizes. The highlight of 2009 was a tree trimmed with $500 worth of Maine State Lottery scratch tickets, and the winner of that tree could have won a great deal more than the tickets cost. Winners this year will be drawn as the FEZtival concludes on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. There are also all sorts of other raffles, live entertainment, a silent auction, plenty of food, and a craft fair. Santa will be on hand, as well, and there will be a “fishing pond” where kids can troll for prizes; there is now a waiting list for crafters. A silent auction has become a big part of the event, featuring all sorts of handcrafted items that generate spirited bidding.

“We’re attracting media attention from all around the state,” Luttrell explained, “and we have reporters calling us for information to do stories about the FEZtival. I know that parking has been challenging in the past couple of years, but we’ll have people on hand this year to direct traffic and improve conditions quite a bit,” he added.

The Kora Shrine started this unique tradition as a fundraising event to support the local temple, its fraternity and good works. In addition to a chance to get an early start on the holiday spirit, and perhaps win a tree for your own home, the FEZtival provides a rare opportunity for the general public to visit the iconic temple that has dominated Lewiston’s downtown for a full century.

Among the oldest and most ornate facilities still in use anywhere in the U.S. network of Shriners’ organizations, the building itself has been shrouded in mystery for much of its history here. Especially during the FEZtival, the atmosphere inside the Temple is most often described as “breathtaking,” and it is open to the public only during FEZtival hours:

Saturday, November 20

from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Sunday, November 21

from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Monday, November 22

from 4 p.m.–8 p.m.

Tuesday, November 23

(private function)

Chamber Business After Hours, catered by DaVinci’s

Closed for Thanksgiving Wednesday–Thursday

November 24-25

Friday, November 26

from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Saturday, November 27

from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

All of the nearly three dozen Shrine units and clubs – such as Kora Klowns, Kora Crazy Cops, the Kora Band, the Funsters, the Royal Guard – will welcome visitors, and there will be information available about membership in the Masons (order of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, the lodges of Freemasonry, one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organizations), prerequisite to achieving membership in the Shrine.

Admission to the temple and the FEZtival remains only $2 per person (kids under 12 are free), and tickets for the tree raffle are 10 for $5. You can enter to win an individual tree five times; five different trees once each, or anything in between. Income from admissions and raffles is used for maintenance of this special facility, and proceeds from craft sales accrue to the participating crafters.

Known for its special combination of family-oriented fun and philanthropy, especially the network of specialized hospitals providing free care to kids all over the nation, the Kora Shrine has created the FEZtival as a way to celebrate the season. All are welcome for this limited time opportunity to see beyond the walls.