The Christmas season will official begin locally Nov. 22 at the Festival of Trees Preview Party, a black-tie-optional celebration to be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn.
Award-winning radio personality Lisa Barry will be the master of ceremonies for the event, which will include a strolling dinner and desserts and a silent auction. Barry, who has been a radio news director, anchor and reporter, is currently heard on WJR-AM 760.
Tickets, $75, adults, and $25, children, are available by visiting the festival website, www.fot.org, or calling 248-336-2331.
The festival opens to the general public on Nov. 28 and continues through Dec. 1.
Hours are 2 to 7 p.m. Nov. 23; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 26; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1.
Featuring professionally decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and much more, the festival is a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Admission is $5, adults, and $3, children. Those under 2 years old are free.
DCA exhibit, show slated
Handcrafted items and works of art are being accepted by the Downriver Council for the Arts for its annual Wonderland Boutique and Winter Wonderland mixed media fine art exhibit.
Both will open with a reception on Dec. 4 and continue through Jan. 9 at the James R. DeSana Center for Arts & Culture, 81 Chestnut, Wyandotte.
Nov. 22 is the deadline to submit items for the boutique and art for the exhibit. Tamara Trudelle, DCA executive director, said that all boutique items will be original and handmade.
Additional information about the boutique and exhibit, along with entry forms for the exhibit, are available by calling the DCA at 734-720-0671 or going to the DCA headquarters or website, www.downriverarts.org.
Center asks donations
The Information Center, based in Taylor, is seeking businesses and individuals to participate in its Holiday Assistance Program/Adopt-a-Family effort to provide holiday gifts for low-income families.
According to Lori Stevenson, program coordinator, the center has registered 225 families and seniors in need of adoption. She said that last year 156 families and 25 seniors were adopted, and that 1,340 people were assisted with food, gift cards and miscellaneous items.
To adopt a family or senior or to donate to the program, call Stevenson at 734 -282-7171.
College slates holiday meals
The Henry Ford College Hospitality Department will host holiday buffets Nov. 19 in the student-run Fifty-One O One Restaurant, 5101 Evergreen Road. Dearborn.
Brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $16.
On the menu will be squash soup, turkey, ham, carved beef, vegetables and seasonal desserts. An omelet station will be available at the brunch, and beer and wine will be sold after 5 p.m.
For reservations, call 313-206-5101.
Save the date . . .
Nov. 18 — Detroit Symphony Orchestra Nutcracker Luncheon & Boutique; 10:30 a.m. at the Detroit Athletic Club, 241 Madison Ave.; shopping, entertainment and raffles are planned; for tickets, $105, call 313-576-5154.
Nov. 23 — Revue, “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway”; at the Fox Theatre; tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com, or call 800-745-3000; for more information, call 313-471-6611.
Dec. 6 — Downriver Arts & Crafts Guild’s holiday sale; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heinz C. Prechter Education & Performing Arts Center, 32100 Northline, Taylor; more than 60 artists will offer their art and crafted items; for more information, call Maureen Keast at 734-777-6109.
Nov. 27 — Art Van will present the 88th Annual Thanksgiving Parade with American Ice Dancing Gold Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White as grand marshals; 9 a.m. step-off at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Kirby, adjacent to the Detroit Institute of Arts.