Baltimore has wrapped its holiday spirit in festive trees and goodwill days. According to Fox Baltimore, the Kennedy Krieger Institute's 35th Festival of Trees made its grand return to the Maryland State Fairgrounds this Thanksgiving weekend. Doors swing open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and wrap up with shorter hours on Sunday.
The festival isn't just about gawking at over 800 uniquely adorned trees – it's a vehicle for raising crucial funds for the Kennedy Krieger Institute's array of services benefiting patients and students. As noted by CBS News Baltimore, since its inception, the event has amassed millions in support, marking it as a pivotal event for the institute. The Meadows family, for instance, has a penchant for participating in the festival, spanning four generations of dedicated tree decorators, "from our nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law, all the way up to my granddaughter," Pam Meadows shared in a statement.
The weekend festival also included entertainment, vendors, raffles, and a special party on Sunday at 8 a.m. Each year, the festival secures a local media partnership with WJZ, who this year brought to the table a "Wicked"-themed tree, harmonizing with the film's recent release. CBS News Baltimore's anchors also chipped in, with Denise Koch and Nicky Zizaza and Kelsey Kushner and Dawn Brown each teaming up to design their own themed trees for the auction.
The Kennedy Krieger Institute upholds its tradition of celebrating the holidays, fostering a supportive community, and providing critical services to those in need. “It's not an easy job," Pam Meadows acknowledged in a statement shared by CBS News Baltimore. "It’s a hard job, and we are so lucky to have all of your clinical staff and all of your teachers and para-education individuals to help support all of the individuals in the IDD and mental health world.”
You can find information about the festival here for more details or a dose of holiday cheer.
