Festivals of Trees and Crafts this Weekend

Hundreds of people are expected at the seasonal celebrations this weekend at the 22nd annual Christmas Festival of Trees and Crafts in Middle Musquodoboit.

The festival is focused on the natural balsam fir Christmas tree and its importance to Nova Scotia as well as a wide variety of Nova Scotian and Maritimes crafts.

"I encourage everyone to visit this fun, seasonal celebration and enjoy the beauty of the balsam trees," said Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker. "Nova Scotia's real Christmas trees look great, smell good, and are a wise environmental alternative to artificial trees."

The festival begins Friday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. and ends Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. at the Natural Resources and Musquodoboit Valley education centres complex, 12014 and 12046, Highway 224, Middle Musquodoboit.

Nearly 30 Nova Scotian balsam fir trees, donated by the Department of Natural Resources and the Lunenburg County Christmas Tree Producers' Association, are decorated by community groups and businesses.

Friday's opening ceremony will feature greetings by special guests, the tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m., and festive entertainment by youth choirs and community groups.

More than 70 crafters will display their wares and warm apple cider and gingerbread will be served by local groups at St. Nick's Café. Crafts will be on display Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2.

The LED Holiday Light Exchange will take place at the opening ceremony. People can save energy, money and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by bringing in two sets of incandescent holiday lights to exchange for one set of energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights. Lights will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/education/nrec/Xmas-11.asp . For detailed directions to the Natural Resources Education Centre, go to http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/education/NREC/how-to-get-here.asp .