Author Samantha Moats -
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The Pizitz in downtown Birmingham is kicking off the holiday season at the Festival of Trees on Sunday, December 1, from 12-5PM. This free celebration is jam-packed with holiday fun, including the unveiling of The Pizitz’s first-ever holiday art exhibit called “The Enchanted Forest.”
RSVP today, and don’t miss this holiday spectacular in Birmingham. The Festival of Trees is going to be a blast!
“The Enchanted Forest” Debuts at the Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees at The Pizitz is a holiday celebration featuring a makers pop-up, live music, Old Forester bourbon workshops and more. But above all, it’s the official debut of “The Enchanted Forest.”
The Enchanted Forest is The Pizitz’s first annual holiday art exhibit. This wintry forest is a collection of 10, 8-foot holiday trees, made by C.I.T.I. Customs, a division of Common Thread. Each tree is uniquely designed and painted by different local Birmingham artists.
During the Festival of Trees, you can find The Enchanted Forest at the 19th Street Food Hall entrance. After the event and throughout the entire month, the trees will be display outside in The Pizitz’s courtyard along with their new 20-foot tall Christmas tree.
A Holiday Art Exhibit Rooted in History
As it turns out, The Enchanted Forest is more than an art exhibit. It actually pays homage to the sixth floor holiday displays of the former Pizitz department store. Back in the day, the department store took decking the halls to the next level with eye-catching and crowd-gathering displays, also named The Enchanted Forest.
Seriously, we’re talking about a full-on winter wonderland forest, complete with animated woodland creatures and so much more. Even Santa himself took up residence at the Pizitz department store!
Shout Out to Local Artists and Sponsors
This new and magical art exhibit wouldn’t be possible without the work and support of incredible artists and sponsors.
This year The Enchanted Forest’s tree artists include:
- Alley Bulka
- Amanda Nicholson
- Blankspace Birmingham
- Bonny Poore
- Burton Advertising Creative Team
- Kelli Todd
- Lindsey Christina
- Ryan Foster & University of Montevallo students (they’re doing two trees, plus Ryan Foster created The Pizitz’s window displays in the courtyard and 19th Street entrance)
- Wellon Bridgers
And a special shout out to the following sponsors: Arlington Properties; Birmingham Bowl; Levite Jewish Community Center and Chabad of Alabama; Engineering Design Technologies, Inc.; Forge and Pinnacle Optical.
All in all, this event is a holiday treat of epic proportions. RSVP today, and get the first look at The Enchanted Forest at the Festival of Trees.
Experience the Fun and Taste the Spirits of the Holidays
While celebrating at the Festival of Trees, you can also expect plenty of holiday-themed activities, including a photo booth with Santa. 🎅 So, that means you should definitely bring the kiddos along for the fun, too.
There will also be live music from Sean Heninger and Bailey Ingle, so we’ll be rockin’ around at the Festival of Trees. 🎄
Additionally, The Louis Bar will release an all-new holiday cocktail list. I can’t wait to try some of these special sips they’ve come up with:
- Santa’s Pick Me Up: fernet, crème de cacao and brandy
- Naughty & Spice: resposado tequila, apple cider and amaretto
- Frank & Pardis: Old Forester Bourbon, Lillet, egg white
Keeping with the spirit of the celebration, Old Forester is hosting two workshops during the Festival of Trees. If you’re as obsessed with the Old Fashioned as I am, then check out “Old Fashioned, Old Forester.” This class is all about the many ways this classic cocktail has been made over the years.
Old Forester is also hosting a workshop called “Taste Through History.” This one explores a tasting of Old Forester through the ages. Cheers to that!
Shop ’til You Drop at the Festival of Trees
Since the countdown is on and time is ticking, take advantage of Festival of Trees to cross off a few more names on your holiday shopping list.
In my opinion, locally-made goods and art make the best gifts. With this in mind, swing into The Gallery (entrance across from Ono Poke) at The Pizitz to shop local makers and artists at the Festival of Trees.
1. Bonnybee Designs @bonnybeedesigns – Bonnie Poore is the maker behind this beautiful jewelry and fiber art, from large, statement pieces to smaller home items.
2. City Folk Creative @cityfolk.creative – Amanda Nicholson is the Birmingham-based graphic designer behind some of my personal favorite local prints.
3. Stately Made @statelymade – Local artist Jordan Jarvis Hughes loves the South and loves sharing it with others through greeting cards, prints and more.
4. Infinite Soaps @infinitesoaps – Christopher Funderburk is the founder of this awesome artisan soap company. Infinite Soaps also makes beard oils, body scrubs, face masks and bath salts.
5. Botanica @botanica_bhm – Caitlin Hastings of Botanica is a plant enthusiast who combined her passion for houseplants and people to create this one-stop shop for modern planters.
Celebrate the Holidays with The Pizitz
The Festival of Trees is the perfect way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year. With the debut of The Enchanted Forest, shopping with local makers, pictures with Santa and so much more, the Festival of Trees is basically your holiday bucket list all in one special event.
RSVP today to this free, family-friendly event and have a holly jolly holiday, Birmingham!
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