The annual Cashiers Festival of Trees, a fundraising event hosted by the Summit Charter School Foundation, took place over Thanksgiving weekend, featuring decorated trees and wreaths, gift baskets, holiday vendors, rivalry-weekend football broadcasts, live entertainment, arts and crafts, story time and a pop-up O.P. Taylor’s Teddy Bear Workshop. Attendance saw a significant increase, with an estimated 2,000 guests attending from Friday, Nov. 28, through Saturday, Nov. 29.
The Festival’s fundraising supports Summit Charter School, helping benefit students, educators, and facilities. While raising funds for the school is the primary goal, nonprofits that donate an auction item also receive 80% of the proceeds from the sale, promoting a collaborative community effort.
Due to continued growth and expanded demand, the retail shopping section was moved to Summit’s new high school building, and a variety of food trucks were debuted. Fundraising results and overall participation exceeded expectations thanks to these additions.
“This growth reflects the expanding reach of the event and the enthusiasm from both our local community and visiting supporters,” said Festival of Trees Director Melissa Hudson.
Although expanding to a new location brought challenges during the initial opening, festival organizers handled them accordingly and plan to discuss improvements for next year.
The auction, a key feature of the Festival, offered an array of entries, including Christmas trees, wreaths, gift baskets, artwork, unique displays, collectibles and experiences like beach vacations and tours. Added this year were furniture and a complete holiday tablescape designed by Spruce Interiors.
“Our top-performing item this year was a beautifully decorated golf tree by Summit mom Collins Zimmer with Trillium Links and Golf Club, featuring rounds of golf, meals, and merchandise from country clubs across the region,” said Hudson. “It sold for $26,800, a new record for us, surpassing our previous highest bid of $15,000.”
Cashiers Firewood’s signature firewood display and a weeklong getaway at a private island in South Carolina also garnered significant interest.
Last year’s auction raised $500,000 and Hudson expects to exceed that amount this year. She thanked the Festival’s sponsors, whose support was instrumental to its success.
“Their support allows us to cover essential event expenses, which in turn ensures that more of the funds raised directly benefit Summit Charter School and our participating nonprofits,” said Hudson. “Beyond the financial impact, our sponsors’ partnership lends credibility and helps the overall experience for our guests. We could not achieve success without them.”
Festival organizers plan to release updates regarding the 2026 Festival soon.
- Mitch Stone
reporter@highlandsnews.com