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Indiana Historical Society expands the Festival of Trees holiday exhibit with more trees and more hours

Trees, trees and more trees! That’s exactly what we like to see at The Indiana Historical Society’s Festival of Trees Holiday Exhibit. Did you hear? It’s growing, with more to see and more time to see it. The winter wonderland will be on display Friday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Dec. 30, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.     

New this year, 72 elaborately themed trees will decorate the History Center, up from 50 trees in 2015. New themes will play off recent events, such as the World Series and Indiana’s Bicentennial Torch Relay, as well as pop culture favorites, such as Disney’s Frozen and Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros.

There are also opportunities to interact with the exhibit, such as voting for favorites or donating clothing items. HealthNet, a local non-profit network of primary care health centers, will be accepting new or gently-used coats, gloves, hats, mittens and scarves in a collection box located beneath its tree.

Also new this year, guests will enjoy live, local holiday music while taking in the magic of the trees at night. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, the History Center will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. The exhibit’s remaining hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The History Center is closed on Mondays.

Festival of Trees is free for IHS members. In addition, IHS is offering two free admission days this holiday season, on Saturday, Dec. 3, for Holiday Author Fair and on Friday, Dec. 9.

More to See and Do This Holiday Season at IHSDAILY

Sing-Alongs

In the History Center’s Cole Porter Room, a singer will lead guests through holiday-themed songs and entertain crowds with popular Porter standards.The Elf on the Shelf

IHS’s Facebook page will be the place to go for hints on where to find The Elf on the Shelf. Guests who spot him will be able to claim a small prize in the Welcome Center.TUESDAYS

Twilight Tuesdays

Open until 9 p.m., between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve

On Tuesdays, guests can see the beauty of the trees at night and enjoy local talent presenting the music of the season. A complete schedule is available at www.indianahistory.org.SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

Vintage Santa

Noon to 4 p.m.

A Santa from the past will stroll through the History Center to hand out special treats to children of all ages.Holiday Handmades

Noon to 4 p.m.

From coloring to creating an elf, weekend visitors to the History Center can create special handmade crafts to take home.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

Holiday Author Fair

Noon to 4 p.m.

IHS’s free annual Holiday Author Fair will feature more than 60 authors in a fun-filled day of book signing and mingling. This year’s featured authors will include Dan Carpenter, Philip Gulley, James Alexander Thom and Scott Russell Sanders, making his first appearance in several years. Another highlight of the 2016 Holiday Author Fair will be an appearance by former Indiana Fever star and Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings. Visit www.indianahistory.org for a full list of authors and books.SUNDAY, DEC. 4

Growing Little Leaves: Family History through Traditions

1 to 3 p.m.

Guests of all ages will explore favorite family traditions with their favorite toys. Visitors will share their own traditions and learn about other holiday celebrations throughout history.THURSDAY, DEC. 15

Good Beers and Ugly Sweaters

5:30 to 8 p.m.

For the third year in a row, IHS will present a special holiday HOPPY hour. IHS invites guests to wear their ugliest holiday sweater while tasting complimentary seasonal beers produced by local craft brewers. There will be live music and a prize for the best holiday sweater.

Early registration is $15, $12 for IHS members. Cost at the door is $20. Guests must be 21 or older. Ticket includes five craft beer tastings and hearty appetizers. Register online at www.indianahistory.org.

For more information on IHS’s holiday offerings, call (317) 232-1882. A complete list of authors and books at this year’s Holiday Author Fair is available online at www.indianahistory.org.

SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY