The Festival Trees for the United Way of White County is held each year at Unicoi State Park Conference Center. The 2011 event was again a huge success with $10,000 raised for local charities.

The Festival of Trees is a holiday event that was started 8 years ago by the White County Chamber of Commerce, Alpine Helen/White County Visitors Bureau and Unicoi State Park & Lodge as a fundraiser for United Way of White County. Each year the event has grown both in popularity and in size. Last year 34 trees and 24 wreaths were decorated with various themes, and were on display in the Lodge at Unicoi State Park from November 24 through December 11.

The event is free to the public and visitors are invited to stroll through the holiday display and bid on their favorite tree or wreath through the silent auction. Proceeds from last year's silent auction and sponsorships totaled $10, 928, and was given to United Way to provide funding to approximately 20 agencies that serve White County.

You won't want to miss this year's Festival of Trees. You will be absolutely amazed at the imaginative decor of the originally decorated trees and wreaths. For more information on the Festival of Trees, contact the White County Chamber of Commerce at 706-865-5356