Festival of Trees Adds Holiday Spirit to Merrill Auditorium

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) welcomes the Magic of Christmas with its second annual Portland holiday tradition, the Festival of Trees. A display of beautifully decorated Christmas trees will fill the lobby of Merrill Auditorium, coinciding with PSO’s popular Magic of Christmas performances, December 10 through 19.

Each tree is unique, donated and decorated by one of twelve area businesses whose creativity and talents are put to the test of transforming Merrill Auditorium’s lobby into a festive, wintry wonderland.

“We’re building on the fun and excitement of last year’s Festival of Trees, which was created in honor of our 30th anniversary of Magic,” said Cindy Wilson, PSO Festival of Trees chair. Wilson added, “People really loved it last year and said it enhanced the experience of visiting Merrill Auditorium for performances. It truly is a spectacular display of individuality and festive spirit for all who come into Merrill this holiday season.”

2010 Festival of Trees’ participants are: Cardiovascular Consultants of Maine P.A., Dead River Company, Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, Gorham Savings Bank, Harborview, IDEXX Laboratories, Kate Lowry Designs, OceanView at Falmouth Retirement Community, Planet Dog, Springer’s Jewelers, Watermatic and Wright Express.

Members of the Festival of Trees’ team include: Cindy Wilson (chair), Harper Lee Collins, Nancy Greenblatt, Mary Jo Kolkhorst, Christopher LaCasse, Melissa LaCasse, Paula Spencer, and Nancy Wallerstein.

The PSO presents Magic of Christmas December 10-19, led by Music Director Robert Moody. Visit www.portlandsymphony.org for performance and ticketing information.

About the Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO):
Serving the city of Portland, the state of Maine, and northern New England, the PSO is the largest performing arts organization in Maine. With critically acclaimed performances and broad community engagement, the PSO is widely regarded as one of the top symphony orchestras of its size in the country. For complete season information, including artist biographies; program notes; and Online Insights, visit www.portlandsymphony.org.