A Weekend Festival of Trees and Crafts

Join thousands of Nova Scotians and enjoy the seasonal celebrations this weekend at the 24th annual Christmas Festival of Trees and Crafts in Middle Musquodoboit, Halifax Regional Municipality.

"We invite Nova Scotians to enjoy the entertainment, see the creations of many talented crafters, and the beauty of the balsam firs decorated at our annual festival," said Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill.

The festival runs Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. to Sunday, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m. at the Natural Resources Education Centre and the Musquodoboit Valley Education Centre complex on Highway 224.

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

The opening ceremony, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, will feature greetings by special guests, the tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m., and entertainment by youth choirs and community groups.

More than 80 crafters will display their wares and apple cider and gingerbread will be served 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.

An LED holiday light exchange will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants can save energy and money, and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by bringing in two sets of incandescent holiday lights to exchange for one set of energy-efficient LED lights. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For detailed directions go to www.gov.ns.ca/natr/education/NREC/how-to-get-here.asp .