The Fantasy of Trees has been an annual Rotary Club of Grimsby event for 25 years, originated by the event`s founders – Grimsby Rotary members, Bob and Lois Gowans. The Grimsby Museum is decorated with an incredible display of Christmas trees, wreaths and other seasonal items. Fundraising is done with a lottery raffle for the displayed items, with additional monies raised through online auctions. The FOT event proceeds are used to support local charities and Rotary causes.

Each year, the FOT event traditionally starts in late November and ends in early December. This gives tree or wreath winners enough time to set up their XMAS winnings in their own homes or front doors well in advance of the Christmas season. This year`s dates are Thursday, Nov 28 to Sunday, Dec 8. Raffle winners are chosen on Monday, Dec 4th and winners can pick up their items at the Museum the same week.

The FOT is a FREE-ADMISSION family event, with no obligation to purchase raffle tickets or to bid online. Not only do hundreds of families attend, but several community organizations such as long-care homes and institutions supporting the disabled arrange for their residents to attend too.

There are several avenues for FOT participation. Sponsors can support the event by sponsoring an XMAS tree that they can themselves decorate or have Rotary decorate. They can sponsor wreaths or decorative outdoor pots (urns), or donate an item of their choice – all of which will be used in the raffle or in an online auction. Or, you can make a cash donation towards decorations or other item purchases needed to prepare the event. You can also make an in-kind donation of your organization`s services. Or, you can even sponsor our Santa Day, when Santa makes an early visit to the Museum for photos and to hear children`s XMAS requests.