Festival of Trees to light up River Forest starting Friday

River Forest Country Club’s first Holiday Festival of Trees begins Friday, part of the Freeport area’s Small Town Christmas celebration.

The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. with a tree-lighting at the Allegheny Township golf club.

Businesses, golf leagues, families and others sponsored 20 small firs at the club, earning each sponsor a chance to decorate the trees for the holidays, club co-owner Andi Irwin said.

“We wanted to do something that embodies this new community that we’re building,” she said. “It’s very personal and sweet and small.”

The event will include live music by the Daydreamers, an ugly sweater contest, and drink and food specials from Lily’s Restaurant. Prizes — Lily’s gift cards, Pirates gear and more — will be awarded to the sponsors of the trees voted best in show.

The trees will remain up throughout December.

Earlier this year, retired Ford executive and golf-lover Jamy Rankin and her husband took over as partners of the club, joining Irwin and her husband, Steve.

The partnership and revamping of the club brought together a diverse group of community members, Irwin said, and 20 decorated trees are a reflection of that.

“We decided we’d start very small and sweet,” she said. “There are a huge variety (of sponsors), everybody from people in the community — individuals, families — but also small local businesses and big businesses like UPMC.”

The trees were donated by Martin’s Tree Farm in memory of founder George Martin IV. Employees of Beaver Jack Tree Service volunteered to pick up and deliver the trees to the club.

Proceeds will go toward the Wounded Warriors project and the Renaissance Association.

Tree sponsors include Three Sisters Antiques, Next Home, Freeport Theatre and Curtze Foods, among others.