The public is being urged to vote for the best decorated Christmas Tree – and help schools win cash prizes.

As part of a series of Christmas events, West End Development Corporation (WEDCO) is organizing the Festival of Trees Competition in the Clocktower Mall once again this year. Schools taking part include: Purvis Primary School, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Bermuda Institute, Port Royal Primary School, St. David’s Primary School and Heron Bay Primary School.

Each school is responsible for decorating a tree that adheres to the theme in the Mall – the design and every decoration being made by their students with the assistance of their teachers. The theme of this year’s competition is ‘A Blue Christmas’.

Stephanie Rodill, WEDCO’s Marketing and Events Manager, said: “We organized the competition last year for the first time and had such a good response that we wanted to do it again. The trees looked stunning and really brightened up the Clocktower Mall. We are extremely excited to see the student’s interpretations of this year’s theme.

“The winning school will receive $1,500, second $1,000 and third $500 with the three remaining honorable mentions each receiving $250. I would urge everyone to come and see the trees and vote for their favorite as the placements and winnings are entirely based on public votes.

“Public voting opens on Saturday, November 17 and finishes on Saturday, December 1; while, the winners will be announced at our ‘Destination Dockyard: Tree Lighting’ event on Sunday, December 2, between 5pm and 9pm.

“In addition, we will have a newsletter sign up box in the Clocktower Mall from Saturday, December 17 to Saturday, December 22. If you sign up for our Newsletter in the Mall during this time, you will be entered into a draw to win a surprise! The winner of this competition will be announced at our Destination Dockyard: Christmas event on Sunday, December 23, between 5pm and 9pm.”

Schools will also be entertaining Clocktower Mall shoppers with choir performances starting on December 2 at 3pm with Purvis Primary school followed by St. David’s Primary School at 4.30pm; on Sunday, December 9, at 11am Port Royal Primary students will sing followed by Bermuda Institute at 12.30pm; and on Sunday, December 16, at 11am Saltus Grammar School students will entertain shoppers, followed by the Somerset Primary Hand bell Choir at 12.30pm.

The Salvation Army band will also be performing at the Clocktower Mall on Saturday, December 15 from 11:45am to 12:45am.

Ms Rodill added: “On top of all that we have Destination Dockyard: Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2 at 5pm, Destination Dockyard: Mistletoe Market on December 9 starting at 1pm, Carols with the Dolphins on December 9 at 5pm, Santa’s workshop on December 16 at 1pm and Destination Dockyard: Christmas on December 23 at 5pm.

“We have tried to make sure there is something for the entire family to enjoy/ I hope people join us in the Royal Naval Dockyard to experience our community events; to support our talented youth, local schools, Bermudian entrepreneurs and local charities; and to enjoy all our West End businesses have on offer this holiday season.”

• Press release from Wedco