Children of all ages will enjoy the gingerbread houses at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
It’s that time of year again and the Junior League of Greenwich’s Enchanted Forest 2015 runs through the weekend. Be prepared to be dazzled by the creativity that abounds. The gingerbread houses and the trees decorated in themes, dozens of vendors, photos with Santa are just the start. Throughout the weekend there will be live performances including St. Saviour’s School of Dance, Dance Pointe and Grace Notes on Saturday, and Greenwich Dance Studio, GCDS, and Allegra on Sunday, to name a few.
On Friday night, the event featured a sneak peak of decorated trees and gingerbread houses, which afforded a preview of what everyone can expect over the weekend.
Vicky Newman, Alessandra Messineo Long, Sue Rogers and Peggy Berenblum at the Friday Sneak Peak event at The Enchanted Forest. Credit: Leslie Yager
Schedule for the weekend:
Vendors at the Enchanted Forest on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Enchanted Forest co-chairs Heather Woodbridge and Brynn John said the creativity this year was unprecedented.
“This has been the most amazing experience,” Woodbridge said. “People have really outdone themselves.”
President Elect Sue Rogers said the event marks its 39th year in 2015, though the events weren’t all consecutive. For a time, the event was staged at the Old Greenwich Riverside Community Center.
Susan Maounis and Lisa Wysocki of Fido Fixers were selling their Skin Creamery products at the Enchanted Forest on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
“It’s a spectacular event,” said Brynn John, event co-chair. “It really relies on participation of the community. They do all the gingerbread and decorate the trees. It’s truly a community event.”
Local moms who are vendors at the Enchanted Forest, Susan Maounis and Lisa Wysocki of Fido Fixers were selling their Skin Creamery products. All proceeds from the sale of the products goes to Fido Fixers,which is a non-profit that spays and neuters dogs with the help of multiple mobile spay & neuter trucks.
A unique feature of the event is the Children’s Giving Shop. Chaired by Johnna Yeskey, the help of a committee of sustainers, the event includes a room where children go without their parents to select gifts are very modest prices – many items are priced at just $1.00, $2.00 or $4.00 The idea is for children to make a list of those they want to shop for, and plan the shopping with their budget in mind. Yeskey said this year there are a number of volunteers, including a high number of boys, who she said are unbelievable shoppers.
“It’s wonderful because the children can make the decisions on their own,” Yeskey said. “And it involves a little math.”
Junior League sustainers along with teen volunteers — many returning because they have fond memories of shopping in the Giving Shop themselves when they were little.
The Giving Shop at the Enchanted Forest is designed with low price points for children to purchase presents for everyone on their list. The items for sale were all donated. Johnna Yeskey said they start gathering items as early as June. Credit: Leslie Yager
“We wrap every gift before they leave,” said committee member Laurel Forst, who spent the day setting up the Giving shop alongside Leigh Anne Rowinski. Forst said that last year 800 children passed through the Children’s Giving Shop and the room was wiped clean before the end of the day on Sunday.
The Junior League of Greenwich’s Enchanted Forest 2015 runs through Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 East Putnam Ave in Old Greenwich. All proceeds support the mission of the Junior League of Greenwich and its projects. To purchase tickets online for The Enchanted Forest and for more information click here.
Heather Woodbridge and Brynn John, Enchanted Forest co-chairs, at the Sneak Peak event Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
An award winner by Carol Zelenz, “The Grand Hotel” at The Enchanted Forest 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Anna Messineo with her sister, Junior League president Alessandra Messineo Long at the sneak peak event, Nov. 20, 2015
The Junior League of Greenwich’s pool themed gingerbread creation on display during the sneak peak, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
The Old Greenwich Farmers Market gingerbread house at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Sneak peak at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Gingerbread houses at the Friday Sneak peak at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Gingerbread houses at the Friday Sneak peak at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Gingerbread houses at the Friday Sneak peak at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Gingerbread houses at the Friday Sneak peak at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
Gingerbread houses at the Friday Sneak peak at the Enchanted Forest, Nov. 20-22, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager
A gingerbread creation by GCDS. Credit: Leslie Yager
Email news tips to Greenwich Free Press editor Leslie.Yager@GreenwichFreePress.com
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