‘Oh, What Fun!’: Festival of Trees parade kicks off Saturday
DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - Oh, what fun!
The Quad City Arts’ Kwik Star Festival of Trees kicked off Saturday with the 29th Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Davenport.
The parade featured giant helium character balloons, including the debut of Optimus Prime, Animal from the Muppets, and the Cheshire Cat, along with pageant queens, dance groups, floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa.
This year’s parade marshals were:
- Sara Russell, the 2022 Iowa Teacher of the Year, will serve as KWQC’s grand marshal.
- Regional Development Authority Board Chair AJ Loss will serve as the RDA’s grand marshal.
- Quad Cities Cultural Trust Executive Director Jen Dobrunz will serve as Deere & Company’s grand marshal.
- Reliability Supervisor Damian Roach will serve as Arconic’s grand marshal.
Festival of Trees, which started in 1986, features a spectacular display of over 150 designer trees, rooms, hearth and homes, wreaths, gingerbread creations and other holiday gift shop items at the RiverCenter in Davenport.
Money raised during the event goes to Quad City Arts to support local arts programs through the Quad Cities.
New this year, Festival of Trees is going cashless and general admission tickets are now available for purchase online. There will be a FAST PASS lane for all prepaid admission tickets at the admissions gates.
Tickets are available for purchase at the doors during Festival hours, $10 for adults, $3 for children ages 2-10, and $6 for seniors 60+. All IHMVCU Members can enjoy BOGO General Admission.
Also, new this year will be mobile bidding, available for Designer Displays on Saturday, the QR code or URL will allow you to browse over 70 designer displays and place abid. With every dollar going back to the Quad City Arts supports arts programs across the Quad Cities, Quad City Arts said in its “Exclusive guide to the Festival of Trees.”
For more information or to purchase tickets visit: www.qcfestivaloftrees.com or call 309-793-1213.
Quad City Arts said volunteers are still needed to help create the magic of the Festivals of Trees, they said in a media release. When you sign up for a shift you receive a free admission ticket to come back and visit again. To register visit: www.qcfestivaloftrees.com/volunteer.
Quad City Arts said in accordance with CDC recommendations, masks are highly encouraged for all visitors at this event.
Festival of Trees General Admission Days and Hours
- Thursday: Santa’s Special Stars Private Tours
- Friday: Silver Bell Social Senior Event, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Saturday: Festival Opens to Public 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Military Day $2 off all admission tickets for military families with military ID (Immediate family of military member only)
- Monday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday: CLOSED Thanksgiving Day
- Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Nov. 27: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Family Day $1 off all admission / Festival After Dark 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($10 upcharge with paid admission)
- Nov. 28: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa’s hours differ from regular general admission and will be available at: www.qcfestivaloftrees.com
Special Events:
- Sunday: A Rather Curious Brunch / Teddy Bear Tea
- Tuesday: SugarPlum Ball
- Wednesday: Celebrity Lunch
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