Festival of Trees Dec. 2-3 at SJ Museum
LODI — The 26th annual Festival of Trees takes place at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The family event takes place at the museum located in Micke Grove Park south of Lodi and about a mile west of Highway 99 south of Armstrong Road.
It’s a step back in time as the entire 18-acre Museum site becomes a winter wonderland reflecting Christmases past.
There are 70 beautiful Christmas trees, each decorated according to a unique theme by different individuals and groups from throughout San Joaquin County. Docents dress in vintage Victorian and pioneer clothes.
There are special exhibits, entertainment, model trains, and vendors. And for the kids there are miniature train rides and many hands-on activities including decorating cookies, making rag dolls, dipping and decorating candles, punching tin ornaments, as well as visiting and photos with Santa.
Festival of Trees is the Museum Docent Council’s primary fundraiser to support the Museum's educational programs.
The Saturday line-up for entertainment includes Ethel Neufeld on the pump organ, the Tiny Tot dancers, the Ukuladyz women’s ukulele group, the Woodbridge Elementary School choir, and square dancing in the barn, Sunday’s entertainment includes Audrey Churchill on the saxophone, the Double Blessing gospel quartet, the Heath & Mason Folk Singers, the Caperduck step dances, and a St. Lucia pageant by the Swedish American Youth Group. The Stockton Portsmen barbershop Quarter will roam the museum grounds while singing Christmas sings.
Throughout the festival food will be available for purchase.
In addition to all of the holiday festivities and decorated trees, visitors are able to enjoy the museum’s many exhibits including the Weber Cottage and, for the first time, they can walk on the porch of the historic Julia Weber house. The county museum features extensive collections of tractors, agricultural equipment, and tools.
General admission tickets are $10 for teens and adults and $1 for children 2 to 12 years old. Children under 2 are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at the event or in advance by calling the Museum at (209) 331-2055 or contacting a Museum Docent. By purchasing tickets in advance, the $6 parking fee for Micke Grove Regional Park is waived. There is a nominal cost of $1 to $2 for children to make crafts. Food will be available for purchase on-site.
