By Elizabeth Spencer
As the snow flew recently on Main Street, local residents continued to deck the halls for the holiday season, and Upshur Arts Alliance members responded to the need for holiday décor by setting up shop at the local Convention and Visitors’ Bureau for the group’s 10th Annual Tree and Wreath Sale.
This year’s sale will run Dec. 3 – Dec. 7 at the Upshur County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau on Main Street in Buckhannon.
Sandra Presar, event initiator and UAA founding member, said she got the idea for the tree and wreath sale after attending a similar event held by a public library in Chardon, Ohio.
She attributes the events longevity to the fact that the sale has undergone some changes over the years in response to community feedback, making it more tailored to the way locals want to experience the event.
“We have tried to evolve over the years to meet the needs of the community, so that the tree and wreath sale is something that works for everyone,” said Presar.
For a number of years, First Community Bank of Main Street kindly served as the venue, but due to bank‐limited hours for visitors and shoppers, UAA elected to move the event to another location where it would be more accessible, according to Presar.
The arts alliance wanted to keep the tree and wreath sale downtown in the heart of Buckhannon, while providing availability to evening and weekend event traffic, and The Upshur County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau offered to answer this call a few years ago by housing the sale, allowing UAA to better serve the public by offering the desired extended hours.
This year, the event’s format is evolving from the typical weeklong silent auction to a cash and carry event, as many people want to take items with them after one visit, rather than returning for additional bids or item pickups. Despite changes, the spirit of the annual tradition remains the same, as sale profits help to increase arts opportunities and enhance arts experiences in Upshur County.
Nearly 50 pieces of original handcrafted holiday décor, created and donated by various artists and community groups, will be available for sale in the name of the arts at the weeklong sale.
The hours for the sale at the CVB office are:
- Dec. 3 and Dec. 5 — 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dec. 4 and Dec. 6 — 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 7 — 9 a.m. to noon.