Festival of Trees comes to Enders

After an extremely successful Festival of Trees last year, the Friends of the Soda Springs Library (the Friends, from here on out) decided to expand the event for this year at the Enders Hotel just down the street.  With around a year in planning behind the event, and an incalculable amount of effort from countless volunteers, the event was once again exciting and full of holiday spirit.

Friends President Beth Cheirrett said “Last year was great—we just want this year to be even better!”  From all outward appearances, the Friends seemed to have more than exceeded that goal.

Ever since the Enders Hotel was gifted to the city by the Maughan Family, it has served a number of purposes.  Most recently, it had operated as a hotel and event location until roughly this time last year.  Ever since, it has been the subject of discussion at City Council meetings and around town.  The current plan is to make it available for rent to the community or other parties for singular events.  Recently, a wedding was held in the location, for instance, as well as the Soda Springs High School Homecoming Dance.  Longer term plans are under consideration, including the possibility of it becoming the centerpiece of a state park.

Whatever the eventual outcome, the venue worked extremely well for the Festival of Trees.  The multiple rooms allowed for a different set of moods and physical spaces that allowed for a room dedicated to Santa and Mrs. Claus, who read to kids and took requests over several sessions during the morning.  This left the dining rom area for crafts immediately afterward, and later in the evening it created an area with less commotion for those who needed a break from the stimulus.  The front café area was perfect for raffle tables, and made a great backdrop for the Facebook Live stream.

The main entryway was the primary tree display location, and allowed for a roomy mingling of visitors.  Throughout the evening part of the event, around 400 unique visitors made their way through the doors.  Though there was not an official count of the Storytime with Santa crew, it was a busy event in its own right.

While everything else was happening, members of the City Council led visitors on tours of the Enders upstairs, which houses a large collection of historic items from the Caribou County area.  Rex Maughan, after purchasing the hotel, gave members of the Class of 54 the chance to curate one of the rooms on the second floor, and they turned it into a place you could spend hours looking through the holdings.

The event was a massive undertaking in terms of volunteer support and donations.  The Presenting Sponsors for the event were Caribou Medical Center, Gritton’s, Soda Smiles, and Lookout Credit Union, who sponsored the “O Holy Night” tree.  The remaining entries were each amazing in their own rights, and designed by a fantastic group of volunteers and in many cases the sponsors themselves.  

Designers/Decorators included Beth Cheirrett, Tyece Ozburn, Stephanie Shelton, Sophomore Class SSHS, Hayley Meyers, Telisha Hayes, LeAnn Landyke and Holly Bartschi, Jessie Ineck, Jori Nate and Noella Gardiner, Dorajo Messerly, Paige Messerly, Kayla Peterson, 3rd Ward Young Women, Kim and Tom Miller, Fullmer Girls, Lucia Crane, Twisted Fork, and many of the tree and wreath sponsors.

Sponsors of the trees and wreaths included, in addition to the presenting sponsors: Jeff’s Body Repair, Bear River Integrative Medicine, SSHS Student Council, Itafos, Brown’s Bees, Full Draw Archery, Farm Bureau Insurance, Ireland Bank, Mountain View Dental Clinic, Soda Sip, Kiewit, Nutrien, Liberty CDJR, Caribou Ford, Canyon Creek Dental—Grace, The Robinett Studio, the Farm Stand, 3rd Ward Young Women, The Sparkle Sisters (Kaya, Joy, and Grace McClatchy), Kim and Tom Miller, Bayer, NPI Home Inspections, Lions Club, Soda Springs Floral, Main Street Diner, Alyson’s Creations and Décor, Lallatin’s, Iron Horse Asphalt.    

This year’s tree auction took place in an online format, which meant that there were people (not looking at you, Cindy Erickson) frantically checking their phones to see if their bids were still on top.  Amanda Larsen was on point for the online portion of the evening, with Dorajo Messerly announcing the results on the Facebook Live stream of the event, recorded by Library Director Hope Hansen.  Ellery Pacheco, along with some well-placed relatives, helped Caleb Messerly run the raffle portions of the evening.  

Raffle baskets included a Snowbird resort package, Cherry Peak resort package, City of Soda Springs Community Gardens gardening kit, Chick-fil-A pack, SSHS Booster Club swag, Idaho Library Commmision STEM activities, Art Supplies, Swim package, Mixhers frother, Americana pack, Browns Bees sampler, etc., Alpine custom book bindings and collar, Date Night, Campfire pack, Get Away travel voucher, Thanksgiving Point pack, Minky Couture basket, Photo Package, and Crochet Christmas.  Kim Christensen, City of Soda Springs Community Gardens, Lauck Family, Carrie Brower, and Victoria Smith were specific sponsors not listed by name in the packaged lots.

The Super Raffle for the evening included Jazz items featuring a December 23 game against the Grizzlies, and Jazz and travel items. 

Congratulations to the Friends of the Soda Springs Library and all the other sponsors and volunteers for putting on an event that did the City of Soda Springs proud!