Fall was late arriving in L-A this year, but we have already been thrust into the midst of the holidays. Now in its sixth year, the Kora Shrine FEZtival of Trees is this community’s unofficial kickoff to the season. It provides an immediate infusion of Christmas spirit; a chance to win a fully decorated tree and other fabulous prizes; food, fellowship, entertainment for the whole family; and an opportunity to help the home and good works of the Shriners. Not to mention Jolly Ol’ St. Nick’s first visit of the year to the Twin Cities. And this year guests will see the impact of previous FEZtivals in the form of the newly refurbished temple interior.

“More than 15,000 people visited the FEZtival last year,” said Tim Luttrell, a member of the organizing committee since the event’s inception. That number of people who are not directly associated with the Shrine was likely more than the number who had seen the inside of the temple, prior to the start of the FEZtival, in many years, Luttrell agreed.

“This may have become the biggest single-holiday event in town,” Luttrell added. “We’re thrilled to have this connection between the Shrine and the rest of the community. We love to show off our wonderful space, to introduce folks to all the Shrine clubs and to all the good work we do. Most of all, we’re delighted to simply have a really fun start to the season.”

The main focus of the FEZtival, named, of course, for the distinctive headgear by which Shriners are recognized all around the world, is a collection of more than 50 fully decorated Christmas trees. Visitors can participate in raffles for each individual tree, many of which are festooned with gift certificates and other prizes, including one trimmed with $500 worth of Maine State Lottery scratch tickets. 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.

“We have more trees committed than we have space for,” Luttrell offered, “and there’s a waiting list among crafters for the limited space we have for them, too. Seems that everyone wants to be part of this!”

Santa will be on hand, as well, and there will be a “fishing pond” where kids can troll for prizes. Income in 2009 was about double that of 2008, and there is now a waiting list for crafters. A silent auction has become a big part of the event, as well, featuring all sorts of handcrafted items that generated some spirited bidding.

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 edifice 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, 19 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday, November, 20 10 a.m. -5 p.m.

Monday, November, 21 (Senior Day) 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Tuesday, November 22 (private function)

Chamber Business After Hours, catered by Fishbones and Mac’s Grill

(closed for Thanksgiving, Wednesday-Thursday, November 23-24)

Friday, November 25 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday, November 26 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Raffle winners will be drawn at 6 p.m. Saturday

On Tuesday evening (Nov. 22), the FEZtival will be closed to the public while the Shrine hosts the official Chamber After Hours event for November. Chamber members will be treated to a menu prepared by Paul Landry, of Fishbones and Mac’s Grill restaurants in Lewiston and Auburn, which will feature local ingredients and recipes including cheeses from Pineland Farms, Lewiston’s own Baxter beer (and even bread crisps made from Baxter beer, used for scooping hummus).

All of the nearly three dozen Shrine units and clubs – such as Kora Klowns, Crazy Cops, the 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 are free), and tickets for the tree raffle are five for $10. 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. More than 100 Shriner volunteers will work tirelessly throughout the event to make it a memorable experience for everyone who visits.

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 temple walls.

Copy the Story Link