The annual Bingham County Christmas Tree Fantasy abounded with over 50 decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces, arrangements, and even a rocking motorcycle. Not to mention the scores of gingerbread abodes that created a magical village all it’s own. Add to all that a well-stocked sweet shoppe and boutique. It all added up to holiday wonderland that even the Grinch couldn’t dispel.

The first look at the alley of trees and decorations was at the sold-out Christmas Tea that added elegant tables among the trees. Participants strolls through the trees, admiring their beauty. Later they enjoyed a light meal, dessert and of course tea. They were also treated to a fashion show of vintage clothing by Annie Hall’s Vintage Boutique located at 816 S. 1st St. in Pocatello.

Before the Tree Auction the judges also strolled the forest and awarded first place to “Light of the World” a memorial tree for Emilie Hansen that was decorate by Vanae Turner and donated by VanOrden Enterprises

and TLC Woodcraft. Second place went to “Sugar Plum Fantasy” decorated and donated by Poky Dot Boutique of Blackfoot.

The Gingerbread house winners were Meezo Littlejohn in the youth category, Paisley Sobieski in the teen category and Amber Merrell in the adult category.

And then there was the guess-how-many container which Braxen guessed the right amount of candies – 576.

The Tree Auction was also a magnificent success with over $25,000 being raised. In the next month they will be adding to that total the proceeds from the Sweete Shoppe, boutique and Fantasy Café to reach their grand total.

Perhaps the best news is that the holiday wonderland will continue to spread its magic throughout the coming year in the form of grants to local non-profit organizations within Bingham County. If you qualify and have a project you want considered, send your application in to Christmas Tree Fantasy, PO Box 23, Blackfoot. They must include the organization name, contact person, phone number, email address, amount of requested grant and a complete explanation of your project to benefit the county. They are due by Feb. 16.

The Christmas Tree Fantasy was wrapped up with a Christmas Breakfast with Santa – and the Grinch! Besides a Ho Ho Ho breakfast it also yielded a surprise… Santa’s granddaughter was proposed to and she got a ring! Christmas wonder seemed to come early, thanks to the many elves at the Christmas Tree Festival.