CARTI

Nov 26, 2023

Festively adorned Today at 2:17 a.m. Leigh Compton, Missy Lewis, Glen and festival co-chair Jennifer Day, and Christina Day at the Tux 'n Trees Gala, the culmination of the 47th annual Festival of Trees benefiting the patients of CARTI. The event took place Nov. 18, 2023, in the Wally Allen Ballroom, Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Helaine R. Williams) The 47th annual Festival of Trees -- benefiting CARTI -- culminated in Tux 'n Trees, the black-tie gala held Nov. 18 in the Wally Allen Ballroom of Little Rock's Statehouse Convention Center. Presenting sponsors were the CARTI Auxiliary and Larry Sturdivant. Shelia Vaught and Jennifer Day, festival co-chairs, joined with gala co-chairs Courtney and Adam Head in welcoming guests to the event, which began with a reception that gave attendees a chance to peruse and bid on a bevy of silent-auction items. As is tradition, these items were highlighted by an opulent orchard of decorated, donated Christmas trees that adorned the ballroom. Music by Dizzy 7 preceded dinner featuring grilled beef tenderloins; a welcome by the evening's hosts, Bob Clausen and Laura Monteverdi of KARK; remarks by the festival and event chairs; a video and a fund-a-need segment. Noted auctioneer Gaylen McGee exercised his usual humor in garnering high bids for live auction items that included a tour with the PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) Champions; a ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyo. ; a table for 10 to the 2022 Festival of Trees Sugar Plum Ball; a South African safari hunt; the hot ticket item -- a dream dinner for eight with MasterChef (cooking reality TV show) finalist Jennifer Maune -- and more. Attendees finished out the evening with dancing to Dizzy 7, which retook the stage. The festival, which also consisted of the Sugar Plum Ball on Nov. 16 and Festival of Fashion on Nov. 17, has raised more than $9.7 million for cancer patients served by CARTI. -- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams Advertisement All rights reserved. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.