3rd Annual Ocean Isle Beach Festival of Trees

Voting for your favorite tree at the Museum of Coastal Carolina raises funds for local charities.

The 3rd Annual Festival of Trees is running through the end of the year at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach. The purpose of the event is to increase attendance to the museum during the off-season and to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations in the area.

With admission to the museum, visitors get to see 17 beautifully decorated trees.

“The response has been very positive,” says Traci Kelly, marketing and development manager for the museum. “We saw a record-breaking number of visitors during the month of November with more than 1,400 in attendance.”

Decorated trees are donated by local businesses and nonprofit organizations and displayed throughout the museum. Each visitor with paid admission gets to vote for their favorite tree.

Voting continues through December 22. The tree, and its sponsor, with the most votes will be featured in a press release and on social media in addition to receiving a one-year membership to the museum. If you are unable to vote at the museum, online voting is available for $1 per person.

“All funds raised through voting must be designated for donation to a nonprofit organization in our community,” Kelly says.

Some of the tree sponsors this year include The Old Bridge Historical Society, Brunswick Family Assistance, Coastal Carolina Lighting, The State Employees Credit Union of Shallotte, The Ocean Isle Sea Turtle Protection Organization and more.

Gina Gore, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, donated a tree for this year’s event.

“The funds from my tree will go to the Mark Gore Specialized Rescue Memorial Fund in care of the Grissettown Longwood Fire and Rescue Department,” Gore says. “My husband was director of Daily Operations for Brunswick County EMS and was dedicated to emergency services for a very long time.”

The fire department will use the funds to purchase equipment and further the education of personnel.

“I wanted to continue his legacy, as he was much loved in our county,” Gore says. “I also wanted to honor and appreciate all emergency personnel and the sacrifices they make.”

Decorated trees are automatically entered into a silent auction. Each tree sponsor will receive the revenue from the highest bidder on their tree. Each winner can take either the decorations or the whole decorated tree home for the holidays.

“It has been a huge blessing to be part of such a lovely event,” Gore says. “All the trees are something special to see.”

Want to go?
Ocean Isle Beach Festival of Trees
Through December 31
Museum of Coastal Carolina
21 E. Second Street, Ocean Isle Beach
Admission is free for members. For non-members, all-day admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62+), $8 for children (3-12 years), and free for age 2 and under.
The museum’s seasonal operating hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm daily, with extended hours on Sundays from 12 to 4 pm.
For more information, call (910) 579-1016 or click here.