Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEMbEr 21, 2025 Beautiful trees, raffles, petting zoo animals and Santa highlight 15th Annual M.E.G. Foundation Festival of Trees By Tara Vocino T he 15th Annual M.E.G. Foundation Festival of Trees got guests in the Christmas spirit over the weekend. “Every year it gets better and better,” M.E.G. Foundation President Janice Jarosz said. “This year, we have approximately 50 trees and 30 baskets to be raffled off.” Guests pay for raffle tickets with proceeds going toward the cultural center for the town. Rental fee is $100 to $375 for events, such as birthday parties and recovery meetings. The space is also home to a children’s food pantry alongside sports programs and Daughters of the American Revolution meetings. M.E.G. Foundation board member Charlotte Line came up with an idea in 2010 when she visited the Methuen Festival of Trees and wanted to bring it to town. The festival runs Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. Winners will be announced Sunday via telephone. Outside on Sunday, children were enjoying the Enchanted Animals petting zoo. Enchanted Animals staffer Kirstin Hubbard had goats, an alpaca, bunnies, chickens and guinea pigs for children to pet. “It’s a good time,” Hubbard said. “The M.E.G. has hired us the past six to seven years.” Saugus resident Dylan Fitzgerald, 7 months, met Adam, an alpaca, for the first time, guided by her mother, Christine, of Saugus, and her grandmother, Jennifer, of Malden. Belmonte STEAM Academy third grader Noah Hodgkins, 9, was petting a goat named Misty. “It’s a great attraction for the children,” his mother, Danielle, said. “The goat is our favorite animal.” Wearing Christmas attire, Saugus resident Christine Fitzgerald, her son, Dylan, 7 months, and his grandmother, Jennifer, of Malden, met an alpaca named Adam for the first time. Belmonte STEAM Academy third grader Noah Hodgkins petted a goat named Misty from Enchanted Animals’ petting zoo. Shown from left to right: Enchanted Animals staff Kristin Hubbard, holding a chicken named Hennifer, Veterans Early Learning Center pre-kindergartner Emilia Bluestein, 4, with Belmonte STEAM Academy fourth grader Bella Bluestein, 9, and second grader Lily Bluestein, 7, dressed in Christmas attire. Belmonte STEAM Academy fourth grader Bella Bluestein, 9, said the bunny is her favorite animal. “I like feeding them and how soft it is,” Bella said. Selectwoman Chair Debra Panetta said it’s incredible how talented everyone is. “It’s an incredible event for a great cause,” Panetta said. “People look forward to this every year.” M.E.G. Foundation board members Laurie Davis and Patricia Staples decorated the downstairs room as a candy lane for photos with Santa on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. Steven Bevacqua will provide digital photographs. Upstairs, Saugus resident Deedra MacGee liked WIN Waste Innovation’s wine tree. “This is the only tree FESTIVAL OF TREES | SEE PAGE 11 M.E.G. Foundation board members Patricia Staples and Laurie Davis created this candy land scene where Santa will be on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Danvers resident Mila LeVangie was eyeing this ballet-themed tree from Dance Junction.
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