Festival of Trees, presented by CoastalStates Bank, is one of Hilton Head Island's largest holiday-themed festivals, running from November 16-30, 2017. The 2017 Festival of Trees will once again be held at the Sonesta Resort in Shipyard Plantation. The trees, a spectacular display of beautifully and creatively-themed Christmas trees in all sizes and colors, are sponsored and decorated by local organizations, businesses, and individuals. Themes range from the traditional to the whimsical to the humorous. In addition to the trees, we will feature wreaths, centerpieces, and baskets. Trees and wreaths will be available for purchase from November 16 through November 30 with all proceeds to benefit the Hilton Head Preparatory School Tuition Assistance Program for local students. Representatives from Hilton Head Preparatory School will be at the Sonesta Resort from 3pm until 7pm most days. Trees will available for purchase at the Sonesta Front Desk when our representatives are unavailable.
There will also be performances by Hilton Head Prep students and others from the Hilton Head Island community and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus during the event. Please call Nadine Mooers, 843-715-8536 or nmooers@hhprep.org for more information.
Special thanks to our sponsors CoastalStates Bank, Polaris Capital Advisors, TidePointe, Island Getaway Rentals, and the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head.
Festival of Trees Preview Party
Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 6:00 pm
At the Festival of Trees Preview Party hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available plus live entertainment by Prep members. Prep parent, Dr. JooSoo Son, Prep student Mr. Justin Perez, and Prep's Pep Band Director Ms. Brandon Nicole Thompson will entertain us on the piano. Additionally, Prep's Singing Ambassadors under the direction of Ms. Candace Woodson will perform heartwarming holiday songs that everyone will love. Complimentary chocolate trees will be distributed by The Chocolate Canopy. A limited number of Hilton Head Prep Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase as well.
St. Gregory the Great Catholic School's Honor Choir
Monday, November 20, 2016 at 6:00 pm
The Honors Choir at St. Gregory the Great Catholic School in Bluffton, SC, was established in 2009. Open to students in grades 3 through 6, the Choir is directed by Mrs. Linda Burkett, Music Teacher for the School and Music Associate at St Gregory the Great Catholic Church. Honors Choir rehearses once weekly and provides music leadership at School and Parish Masses, various in-school events and special services including National Catholic Schools Week Celebrations and 9-11 Memorial Services for the Town of Bluffton. It is an honor for us to participate in the Hilton Head Preparatory School's Festival of the Trees a third year!
Sounds of the Season and Lessons & Carols
Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 6:00 pm
The Middle and Upper School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will perform a service of Lessons and Carols, based on the original service from 1918 at King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England. The service will combine readings about the Christmas story from the prophecy of a Messiah to the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Gospel texts. Music will be played by the Prep Pep Band Director, Ms. Brandon Nicole Thompson, and carols will be sung by Prep employee and parent, Ms. Candace Woodson and the Singing Ambassadors. Students from all divisions will perform the carols in sign language with their American Sign Language instructor, Mrs. Stephanie Foley, and ASL club sponsor Mrs. Krista Hanna and her daughter Brittany Hanna.
"Little Symphony" by Carold Nunez will be performed by Prep's Upper School Orchestra., "Believe" from Polar express and arranged by Michael Story will be performed by Prep's Middle and Upper School Orchestras, "A Boomwhacker Christmas" by Richard Meyer will be performed by Prep's Middle and Upper School Orchestras. There will be featured soloists on boomwhackers, and "Twas The Night Before Christmas" arranged by Bob Phillips, will be performed by Prep's Advanced Lower School Strings and Middle and Upper School Orchestras, and will feature Mr. Jon Hopman as our guest narrator.
Santa and Mrs. Claus Visit Festival of Trees
Wednesday, November 29, at 6:00 pm
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Sonesta! Hot cider and cookies will be served and Mrs. Claus will once again read "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore. Children are invited to come in their pajamas. The Prep Pep Band will be playing. The Sonesta Resort is a
Toys for Tots collection location. Please feel free to bring an unwrapped toy if you wish.