Collegiate Times

The Christmas spirit will be in full swing by Sunday for those taking part in the annual Fashions for Evergreens event.

The event includes 13 area businesses, designers and artists squaring off in a competition to see who can create the most unique and extraordinary Christmas tree.

The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center has put together this event for last three years, and it's quickly becoming a must-see tradition in the New River Valley.

"The response over the past couple years has been enormously positive and our competitors are extremely excited and eager each year to participate," said Michael Quonce, public relations and advertising manager at the Inn.

Participants are given a 10-foot pre-lit tree to decorate however they wish.

There is no cost to participate, aside from the decorations used. In the past there were only eight trees in the competition, but this year there are 13. All decorated trees will be displayed down the ballroom foyer.

The competition is growing each year and will be expanded in the future to include more trees.

"Past tree participants get first pick of location and then we fill in the rest as they sign up. Participants can begin decorating on Sunday and must have their tree completed by Thanksgiving," said Quonce. "We use Thanksgiving as the first day, plus with traffic from our buffets, it's a nice kick-off to the holiday season."

The event is free to the public and runs from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. People can view the trees at any time, seven days a week.

Winners will be decided on a public and professional vote. Members of the public can cast their votes until Dec. 17. There will be a reception at the end of the competition to award designers on their hard work and creativity.

"The Fashions display is a fantastic way to get into the Christmas spirit and celebrate the holidays. The Inn is transformed into this beautiful winter wonderland that would get Scrooge into the Christmas spirit," Quonce said. "Everyone is encouraged to visit the display and cast their votes for their favorites."