Liven Up the Holidays with Fashions for Evergreens
Annual Fashions for Evergreens Event in Southwest Virginia Evokes True Christmas Spirit and Proudly Supports the United Way.
Roanoke, VA, December 11, 2008 --(PR.com)-- It’s that time of year again. Time for traveling, gift giving, holiday parties, family, friends, relatives and of course. . . . Decorating.
Give your Christmas tree that "Wow!" factor with inspiration from the designers of Fashions for Evergreens, the Christmas tree competition that’s the centerpiece of holiday celebrations at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center and The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center in southwest Virginia.
Hosted at both properties, the Fashions for Evergreen event is an annually celebrated Christmas tree competition featuring 38 professionally designed trees that present awe-inspiring Christmas ideas and concepts.
“We’ve had everything from a nursery rhyme tree, a gardener’s tree with hose as the garland, a black tie tree, an Elvis Salutes the Troops tree, you name it.” says Phil Davis, assistant general manager of the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. “We are in our eighth year and each year these trees get better and more creative. We are seeing more and more people each year as well and last year tallied more than 10,000 visitors who walked through the properties just to see the trees.”
Ideas stem well beyond the traditional ornaments, garland and bows. Elaborate trees include last year’s winner, a 1950-era tree complete with original board games, memorabilia and a rotating black and white TV display of “Leave it to Beaver,” the “Lone Ranger” and other classics.
Wade Tallant, a three-time Fashions for Evergreens winner, offers advice:
“All good displays start with a great game plan,” he says. “Themes, materials, concepts all need to be well thought out in advance before executing. We usually start planning in the spring and start gathering the materials throughout the year. If you’re in a pinch, start simple and add from there.”
La De Da, a boutique clothing store in downtown Roanoke designed a candy tree that would make Willie Wonka smile. Using oversized candy canes, lollipops and other sweet treats to completely cover the tree, the designers created a masterpiece that took home the People’s Choice Award in 2006.
But the decorating doesn't stop with the tree as exhibited by Best Wishes Flowers and Gifts of Blacksburg, VA. Their idea carried over to other areas, creating a Hokie holiday haven. Their theme commemorated the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings. Using different memorabilia and images from the event, the group created the most photographed tree of the Inn’s event.
“Teams, residents, faculty and alumni all came and took their pictures by the Virginia Tech tree,” said Teresa Hughes, the Inn’s Fashions organizer. “Many used the pictures as their Christmas card.”
This year, the Hotel Roanoke’s public vote will raise money for the United Way of the Roanoke Valley. The public is being asked to vote monetarily for their favorite tree (only U.S. currency and checks are accepted) and at the end of the public voting, the tree that raises the most money will win the People’s Choice Award.
“We are proud to support and partner with the United Way this year,” said Gary Walton, general manager of The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. “’Tis the season for giving and this event will allow the entire community and guests of our Hotel to contribute a great cause this holiday season.”
The competition runs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. The trees will also be on display at www.HotelRoanoke.com and www.InnatVirginiaTech.com.
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Give your Christmas tree that "Wow!" factor with inspiration from the designers of Fashions for Evergreens, the Christmas tree competition that’s the centerpiece of holiday celebrations at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center and The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center in southwest Virginia.
Hosted at both properties, the Fashions for Evergreen event is an annually celebrated Christmas tree competition featuring 38 professionally designed trees that present awe-inspiring Christmas ideas and concepts.
“We’ve had everything from a nursery rhyme tree, a gardener’s tree with hose as the garland, a black tie tree, an Elvis Salutes the Troops tree, you name it.” says Phil Davis, assistant general manager of the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. “We are in our eighth year and each year these trees get better and more creative. We are seeing more and more people each year as well and last year tallied more than 10,000 visitors who walked through the properties just to see the trees.”
Ideas stem well beyond the traditional ornaments, garland and bows. Elaborate trees include last year’s winner, a 1950-era tree complete with original board games, memorabilia and a rotating black and white TV display of “Leave it to Beaver,” the “Lone Ranger” and other classics.
Wade Tallant, a three-time Fashions for Evergreens winner, offers advice:
“All good displays start with a great game plan,” he says. “Themes, materials, concepts all need to be well thought out in advance before executing. We usually start planning in the spring and start gathering the materials throughout the year. If you’re in a pinch, start simple and add from there.”
La De Da, a boutique clothing store in downtown Roanoke designed a candy tree that would make Willie Wonka smile. Using oversized candy canes, lollipops and other sweet treats to completely cover the tree, the designers created a masterpiece that took home the People’s Choice Award in 2006.
But the decorating doesn't stop with the tree as exhibited by Best Wishes Flowers and Gifts of Blacksburg, VA. Their idea carried over to other areas, creating a Hokie holiday haven. Their theme commemorated the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings. Using different memorabilia and images from the event, the group created the most photographed tree of the Inn’s event.
“Teams, residents, faculty and alumni all came and took their pictures by the Virginia Tech tree,” said Teresa Hughes, the Inn’s Fashions organizer. “Many used the pictures as their Christmas card.”
This year, the Hotel Roanoke’s public vote will raise money for the United Way of the Roanoke Valley. The public is being asked to vote monetarily for their favorite tree (only U.S. currency and checks are accepted) and at the end of the public voting, the tree that raises the most money will win the People’s Choice Award.
“We are proud to support and partner with the United Way this year,” said Gary Walton, general manager of The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. “’Tis the season for giving and this event will allow the entire community and guests of our Hotel to contribute a great cause this holiday season.”
The competition runs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. The trees will also be on display at www.HotelRoanoke.com and www.InnatVirginiaTech.com.
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Contact
The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
Michael Quonce
540-853-8267
www.HotelRoanoke.com
540-521-6092 (cell)
Michael Quonce
540-853-8267
www.HotelRoanoke.com
540-521-6092 (cell)
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