FARMINGTON — “Alice in Wonderland’s” white rabbit peered out from the boughs of an evergreen literally decked with garlands of playing cards on Saturday afternoon during the annual Festival of Trees.

Beside it at the Farmington Rotary Club’s fundraiser at the University of Maine at Farmington, stood an equally bedazzling tree decorated top to bottom with purple beads and bows, and cupcake, snow cone and faerie ornaments.

It was a creation by Susy Sanders of Phillips titled “Visions of Sugar Plums.”

“It took me three hours to decorate it,” Sanders said.

She sat beside the tree dressed in a snow faerie costume and assisted by fellow snow faerie queens Heather Rice of Waterville, Christina Peaslee of East Hampton, Conn., and Debra Harris of Farmington.

Sanders said she’s participated in the Festival of Trees for six years. Her trees usually fetch around $500 during the event’s auction in the evening.

“My trees have never gone for over $1,000, but some of them do,” she said. “My trees are so unusual. People like them, but they don’t always fit with their decor.”

A large, colorful castle with turrets topped Sanders’ tree.

Event organizer Carolyn Eaton of Farmington said 21 trees, four kissing balls and 11 wreaths were entered in the festival. She said the club’s Festival of Trees auction and dinner usually nets them from $7,000 to $11,000.

“One tree last year went for $2,200,” Eaton said.

The heady aroma of balsam dominated UMF’s North Dining Hall. Coupled with the trees, it competed for attention from the large crowd with members of Mt. Blue High School’s Jazz Band, Voices choral group, the Chamber Singers and the Franklin County Fiddlers, all of whom provided entertainment.

Sixteen trees were donated for decorating by state Rep. Walter Gooley, R-Farmington, while other participants brought their own trees.

There was no theme, Eaton said.

“That’s what always amazes me,” she said. “Out of all these trees, we never get duplicates.”

A tree titled “Snow Day” by LEAP featured frosted white branches, red, white and gold ornaments and a lit snowflake at the top.

There was even a “Dr. Seuss” tree by Rotaract that was adorned with stuffed Seuss critters and books and topped with a red-and-white-striped Seuss hat.

Two trees were decorated with doggie ornaments, while one of them by Carmen Crofoot sported garlands of dog biscuits.

A white-frosted tree titled “Spirit of Christmas” by Wiles Funeral Home was topped with a giant cardinal bird and lit by strings of cardinals.

Another nearby tree simply titled “Blueberry” by the Farmington Emblem Club No. 460 was decorated in blue and white, with white mittens sporting a tiny blue ribbon.

There was also a Monopoly tree titled “Board Games” by Interact that was strung with Monopoly-money garlands.

One tree was covered with pencil, pen and Sharpie ornaments, rolls of tape and correction fluid, and brightly colored garlands of large paper clips. Decorated by the National Association of Legal Professionals, it was titled “Office Supplies.”

Roses, blossoms, butterfly ornaments and a wooden owl ornament decorated the “Butterflies and Blooms” tree by Robin’s Flower Pot.

And then there was a “March of the Penguins” tree by the Industry Fire Auxiliary that sported penguin decorations.

Eaton said the club opened the festival for free public viewing from noon to 5 p.m. and showcased other auction items on tables along walls.

“We hope a lot of people get happy,” she said, prior to participating in the auction.

Money raised by the event help the Farmington Rotary Club support the local and worldwide needs of children and families.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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