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Fairfield Charity Celebrates Decades of Trees

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival will hit its 30th anniversary this December. But even more impressive is a mark it has already hit: raising more than $2.5 million for charity.

The festival is an annual gathering each December at the Burr Homestead, a historical Fairfield home. Local designers and retailers team to decorate the mansion’s 15 rooms in a holiday theme.

Then over a four-day stretch, the homestead offers photos with Santa, a gift boutique, handmade wreaths and other attractions. The festival also includes special events such as a kickoff cocktail party and an afternoon tea on the concluding Sunday.

In its first year in 1981, the festival raised a $12,500 for Bridgeport’s Barnum Festival. “The main core of the inaugural committee had so much fun doing this festival that they decided to incorporate, form a board and stage the festival every year for the benefit of organizations that were in need in the community,” founding committee member Carol Wheeler said in a statement.

Since then, the event has raised more than $2.5 million for more than 90 local charities. Last year’s featured charity, Black Rock’s Burroughs Community Center, received a donation of $236,000 for its work with the kids of the Bridgeport neighborhood.

This year’s festival is themed “30 Years of Giving.” The proceeds will go toward the St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services. The medical center, located in Trumbull, provides care for those with physical or mental disabilities. The center hopes to use the funds to build a new therapeutic pool for its patients.

The Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival takes place from Dec. 2 to 4, with a special preview party Thursday, Dec. 1. For hours and information on special events, or to make a donation, visit the group’s website.

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