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Our Story

Our Story

 

The first annual, inaugural Christmas Tree festival will kick off the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving; Friday November 21, 2025 from 3:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday November 22, 2025 BOTH DAYS from 11:00am - 9:00pm.

Fraser Fir Trees have been grown in The High Country of western North Carolina since the early 1950s when some farmers tried growing them as an intended crop for Christmas trees and to replace existing farming of cabbages. Avery County, North Carolina is now the Fraser Fir capital of the world.

Fraser Firs growing on the farm


And finally, the town of Newland will have a Christmas Tree Festival that will honor the strong bond they have to the industry. The overwhelming reaction local Fraser Fir farmers have to the festival is that it is about time.


Newland Town Square across from Avery County courthouse

We will be having competitions between farmers for the best tree in their county, and all county winners will vie for the best tree in the festival. The public will be invited to cast votes for their favorite trees. The Fraser Fir tree headed for the White House that has the honor to be the national tree is being raised by a local farmer, Sam Cartner and that ceremony of that tree leaving Avery County may take place during the festival. Each school district will have their grade school classes compete for the best in their district to compete with the best from the other districts.

Our ELementary School Classrooms will compete for "Best School Tree"

 

There shall be craft vendors as well as food vendors. There will be live music on the stage. There will be a magician’s stage set up with wandering minstrels. There will be a class on how to make a wreath.

We have Magicians, Stilt Walkers, Bounce Houses and more

 

Our shuttle bus parking will help ensure traffic flows smoothly throughout the affair.

Our festival lighted trees will be in the town square venue through New Year’s Day.

We invite one and all to be our honored guests to The Newland Christmas Tree Festival, 2025.