Festival of Trees Auction Goes Live

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – There are just 19 days until Christmas and the
Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce is spending the day
spreading holiday cheer through the annual Festival of Trees Auction.
Phone lines at WHIZ AM 1240 opened this morning at 9 as community
members and Christmas fanatics flocked to the Chamber of Commerce to
view and bid on trees and their incentives. Bryan Graham, Festival of
Trees Bidder, says the event has been a holiday staple in the
community for years.

“This has just
been a great function—and it’s at Christmastime; it’s a time of
giving. Everyone’s have been great incentives for the last 25, 26,
27 years that they’ve had it and we’ve been very active in it.
And, it’s just a great event to see the beautiful trees and it’s
just kind of that touch that puts you in the spirit of Christmas.”

All proceeds from
the Festival of Trees Auction will go towards the Chamber of Commerce
to help economic development efforts across Muskingum County in the
coming year. Shauna Kelley, Festival of Trees Bidder, says the event
helps small businesses in the area.

“I love a lot of
the wooden—I love anything wooden; wooden wreaths, wooden trees,
everything. But specifically, I love this wreath and it’s just a
great event to be a part of. So, we really want to support all of the
local businesses because that’s what we are.”

A final tally of
proceeds made from this year’s Festival of Trees will be available
later tonight.