TAVARES — Hard work and holiday spirit paid off for several groups of decorators Friday as award recipients were announced during a ceremony at the Fifth Annual Festival of Trees presented by the Lake County Historical Museum.

The Eustis Magnolia Garden Club captured "Best in Show" for this entry at the Fifth Annual Festival of Trees presented by the Lake County Historical Museum.

The entries of holiday trees, centerpieces and wreaths were set up last week and judged Tuesday by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners. The public is encouraged to visit the Lake County Historical Museum, located at 317 W. Main St., Tavares, to view the exhibit that will end the first week of January.

“I want to thank everyone for participating,” said Dr. Diane Kamp, director of Lake County museums. “Every year the festival gets bigger and better. I can’t wait until next year’s festival.”

In only its fifth year, the festival had become quite competitive with the Mount Dora Poinsettia Garden Club as a three-time champion. However, the reigning champion could not extend its streak to four as the Eustis Magnolia Garden Club earned top honors in the “Best in Show” for the holiday-tree decorating festival.

All the category winners of the festival are as follow:

• Best in Show — Eustis Magnolia Garden Club
• Most Creative — Mount Dora Poinsettia Garden Club
• Most Traditional — Tavares Palm Garden Club
• Most Endearing — Brush n’ Buddies
• Most Interesting use of Materials — Mount Dora Oleander Garden Club

WREATHS

• Best in Show — Mount Dora Hibiscus Garden Club
• Most Interesting use of Materials — Umatilla Garden Club
• Most Traditional — Umatilla Women’s Club

CENTERPIECES

• Best in Show — Umatilla Garden Club
• Most Creative — The Red Hat Society Bodacious Belles of Howey-in-the-Hills
  

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Contact information:
Christopher Patton
Communications Coordinator
Office: (352) 343-9609; Cell: (352) 455-0445
cpatton@co.lake.fl.us