BILLINGS - COVID has changed the format of the 35th annul Festival of Trees, but the event, hosted each December by The Family Tree Center, will go on, some of it still in person.
Supporters donate decorated Christmas Trees and community members then can bid on the trees, all in support of the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
For the first time this year, the festive trees can be viewed at Rimrock Mall in the former Herberger's shopping space.
This year, the tree themes include titles like "O QuaranTree", "Nutcracker Christmas", and "Don't be a Grinch-Support Local Business".
As always, the Family Tree Center will hold their tree and gift auction, the main fund-raiser for the organizations' programs-with a twist.
The auctions will be done completely online. Bidding on the trees will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 3rd and going until 7 P.M. Saturday, December 5th.
That's when the trees will be on display at Herbergers.
The gift auctions have already begun, and will stay active until 8 p.m. Saturday.
Bidding can be located on The Family Tree Center website: www.familytreecenterbillings.org, through the auction link: https://events.readysetauction.com/familytreecenter/festivaloftrees2020, or on the Family Tree Center Facebook page.
