Methuen Festival of Trees Readies 2014 Opening

In about two weeks, the 21st annual Methuen Festival of Trees kicks off the holiday season. The group, which provides historic building preservation funds throughout the valley, is looking for volunteers.

Volunteers are needed to sell raffle tickets, set up chairs and tables, operate the café and gift shop and perform other tasks. There is also a scholarship program for high school students who volunteer. For more information, call Patty George at (978) 685-1870 or email [email protected].

“The Festival of Trees started as a local event to raise money for restoration efforts here in Methuen,” said Sharon Pollard, president of the festival. “Now 21 years later, it has grown to become the largest event of its kind solely dedicated to historic preservation.”

The festival begins Saturday, Nov. 22, and runs through Saturday, Dec. 6, at Valley Office Park, 13 Branch St.

Methuen Festival of Trees has provided money for such preservation projects as Haverhill’s Rocks Village Historic Hand Tub House, First Parish Meeting House and Winnekenni Castle.