Festival of Trees – A Celebration of Giving | Hiawatha Homes, Inc. & Hiawatha Homes Foundation

What is the Festival of Trees?

Simply said – it’s our favorite event of the year and we have our community to thank! This annual fundraiser allows us to partner with the community to kick off the holiday season. Together, we continue to raise funds and awareness for our mission. To date, we have raised over $4 million!

A Mission to Believe In

It may seem like just another great holiday event! Well, we are happy to say that it is so much more. Proceeds from the event support individuals with disabilities in our community. Your support may help with purchasing a piece of equipment or technology, fund a social gathering, or help to maintain safe and clean homes. The possibilities are endless, because we are here to support the needs of those we serve.

Learn More

Become an Underwriter

Meet Darlene and Mary! This dynamic duo is eager to have you become an Underwriter. We promise, it will be a wonderful experience!

Learn More

Design a Tree

Are you creative? Do you love glitter? Well, we have the opportunity for you! Gather your co-workers, family, friends, or a combination and join us as a tree designer. Your creation will be ooohed and ahhhed over, and it will be enjoyed by many for the holiday season and beyond.

Purpose

As we kick off the holiday season, we do it in support of the individuals supported by Hiawatha Homes. We provide quality support services to individuals with disabilities at home and in the community thru residential and community based settings. We support individuals to live fulfilling lives of their choice in a community that values and includes them. Learn more about the services we provide at https://hiawathahomes.org/about/hhi/.

Description

Many people ask, what is the Festival of Trees like? Imagine this, a stroll through downtown Rochester with a cup of cocoa in hand. While you stroll, you seek out uniquely decorated trees displayed in the storefront windows. Throughout the week, you will also have the chance to join us with your friends and family as we host virtual and smaller in-person event programming. Bottom line – you’ll be in the holiday spirit at first sight!

If you’re familiar with a non-pandemic Festival of Trees, it will be quite different. This format will allow our volunteer planning committee to ensure a great event and avoid pivoting due to unexpected pandemic curveballs. The elves are hard at work on the details, so please stay tuned.

Schedule

The event will be held from November 22-28, 2021 in downtown Rochester, MN. Here are a few of the highlights:

Tree Designer Days (November 12-14) – Tree Designers will create their masterpieces at the Empire Event Center.

Underwriter Tree Selection Reception (November 21) – Underwriters will be invited to the premier viewing of the trees. As a benefit for their support, they will choose a tree to Underwrite for the event.

Trees on Display in Downtown Rochester (November 22-28) – The trees will be available for the public to view. Details to come in Fall 2021.

Opening Night Gala (November 24) – A night of dining, raising funds, and mixing and mingling with our community. This event is open to the public. Details to come in Fall 2021.

Holiday Programming in Downtown Rochester (November 26-28) – Entertainment, holiday fun, and lots of glitter! Details to come in Fall 2021.

Location

In 2021, the event will be hosted in several parts of downtown Rochester. Stay tuned for details to be announced this Fall.

Get Involved

We invite you to be our guest, make a gift, and volunteer! Together, we will work to organize this community fundraising event.

Learn More

We invite you to follow along and engage with us via this page, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Trees will be displayed in...

Day(s)

Hour(s)

Minute(s)

Second(s)