Petaluma celebrates Festival of Trees for a good cause

Now, this is how a historic, caring, creative town celebrates Christmas.

At the festively dressed home of the Petaluma Woman’s Club, built in 1913, guests of the Festival of Trees admired and bid on gloriously decorated Christmas trees, sampled holiday sweets, purchased succulent plants, enjoyed the entertainers on the stage and donated dollars to boost the work of community organizations.

Co-hosted by the Woman’s Club and the fun-loving, exuberant and philanthropic Fabulous Women of Sonoma County, the holiday festival began Friday evening and resumed Saturday evening.

Guests arrived at the classic clubhouse to behold nearly 70 Christmas trees decorated and donated by local businesses. A silent auction featured the trees and accompanying products, certificates and services.

The occasion’s “Home for the Holidays” theme was evident everywhere. Families posed for photos with Santa Claus and chose among an abundant selection of baked cookies and other temptations.

Members of The Fabulous Women announced that they will divide the proceeds of the 2016 Festival of Trees among the Petaluma Educational Foundation, Petaluma Bounty healthy food program and the Rwanda School Project.

And there is a bonus: As thanks for a $20 donation, guests received a Passport to Christmas booklet full of discounts from area retailers. Those donations will brighten the holidays of the families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the fire alongside Highway 101 in late September.