FROM NOVEMBER 2001

THE FESTIVAL OF TREES
NO LONGER APPEARS AT THE
ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY AND ART

FESTIVAL OF TREES RETURNS TO AIHA

The 18^th Annual Festival of Trees presented by the Council of the Albany Institute of History & Art will return to the museum again this year, after a three-year absence during the Albany Institute’s recent construction project. 

“We were very fortunate to be able to continue the Festival while the museum was closed, thanks to the generosity of Hudson Valley Community College, our location for the past three years,” explained Bonnie Taylor, President of the Council.  “Now that the Albany Institute’s renovation is complete, having the Festival ‘back home’ in the new facility is very exciting.  We’re looking forward to welcoming Festival visitors old and new to this year’s event.”

Kicking off the Capital Region’s holiday season, this perennially popular event will be held as usual over the Thanksgiving weekend, with General Admission Friday through Sunday, November 22-24.  Festival hours Friday and Saturday will be 10am-9pm and Sunday 10am-5pm.  Last entry to the Festival will be half an hour before closing each day.  With advance reservations, groups can be accommodated with special group rates, on Wednesday, November 21, from 10am-5pm. In addition, a Preview Party featuring elegant hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be held on Tuesday, November 20, from 5:30-7:30pm (tickets $45 AIHA members/$50 non-members), with David Alan Miller of the Albany Symphony Orchestra serving as Honorary Chairperson. 

With the theme, “A Child’s Fantasy”, this year’s festival will include lavish and festive holiday decorations, art making activities and storytelling for children, Gingerbread Lane, a special raffle and the Festival Café.  Combo tickets are available for access to the Albany Institute’s galleries during the Festival, including the special traveling exhibition, SCENES OF AMERICAN LIFE from the Smithsonian.  And the Museum Shop will open its Holiday Shop in an expanded space in time for Festival shoppers.

Admission fees for this year’s Festival of Trees will include FREE PARKING for Festival visitors at 99 Washington Avenue.  Admission for Festival of Trees only: Adults $5; children 4-12: $3; children 3 & under FREE; and AIHA members $4.  Admission for Festival of Trees and galleries:  Adults: $8; children 4-12: $5; children 3 & under FREE.