A happening place

Attachments

A TROOP PROJECT: Girl Scouts from Troop 68 in Cranston helped children to select material to make ornaments in the room set aside for children during the two-day festival. Helping Charlotte Williamson, appropriately face-painted as Rudolph, are (from left) Julianna Vittorioso, Alyssa Perrira, Reyna Reyes and Payton Mays.

FASHIONING HER OWN ORNAMENT: Emilia Koopman of Warwick joined other children in making their own ornaments.

ROOM FULL OF TREES: Trees decorated and donated by area businesses and organizations lined the main room of the Shriners. One vendor, who has been doing shows and bazaars for more than a decade called the FEZ-tival of Trees “epic.”

A LUCKY TICKET? Paula Cardi, coordinator of the FEZ-tival of Trees, shares a laugh with Susan Durand, who was checking out the trees before taking her chances.

SHOW STOPPER: Kingstyn Capone was dressed for the show, but then his mother Stacy (seen here with him) runs Distinctive Dance Etc.

ONE OF MANY PERFORMERS: Francesca Cuozzo was one of about 80 children to perform Sunday with Distinctive Dance Etc. of Warwick under the direction of Stacy Capone. Francesca is seen here with her own fans, Donna Peno and Daniel Cuozzo.

More than 4,000 people came through the doors of the Rhode Island Shriners and the Scottish Rite Cathedral in the first three hours of the fourth annual FEZ-tival of Trees Saturday. The people kept coming to buy raffle tickets on the trees that featured everything from specialty gifts to bay cruises, gift certificates and theater tickets. The trees were sponsored by local businesses and nonprofits. But there was so much more at the event that continued on Sunday, including musical and dance performances, readings by local authors, crafts for children, appearances by Shriners clowns and, naturally, a visit from Santa. Proceeds benefit the charitable works of the Shriners.