FESTIVAL OF TREES CELEBRATES 'HOLIDAY TRADITIONS' AT AIHA

The 19^th Annual Festival of Trees presented by The Council of the Albany Institute of History & Art will kick off the Capital District’s holiday season with ”Holiday Traditions - A Matter of Taste” inspired by the Dutch-heritage theme of Albany’s 350^th Beverwijck celebration and AIHA’s fall exhibitions, including MATTERS OF TASTE:  Food and Drink in 17th Century Dutch Art and Life from November 26 through December 1, 2002.

A Preview Party featuring elegant hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be held on Tuesday, November 26, from 6:30-8:30pm (tickets $45 AIHA members/$50 non-members), with John Gray of WNYT News Channel 13 as Honorary Chairperson.  Groups can be accommodated with advance reservations for special rates, on Wednesday, November 27, from 10am to 5pm.  General admission will be available Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 1.  Festival hours Friday and Saturday will be from 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.  Last entry to the Festival will be half an hour before closing each day. 

This year’s festival will include lavish and festive holiday decorations, Gingerbread Lane, Holiday Express train display, the expanded Holiday Shop, fantastic raffle prizes, Holiday Café, face painting, Dutch tile making, arts and crafts workshops and a visit from Sinter Klaas.   

Admission for this year’s Festival of Trees (including all Festival activities and all museum galleries) is: Adults $8, AIHA Members $6, Children, ages 5-12 $3 and Children 4 years and younger FREE.

The Festival of Trees is sponsored by Albany International and The Gordon Siegel Law Firm.  Media Sponsors include the Times Union and WNYT News Channel 13.