Newtown Youth and Family Services (NYFS) Holiday Festival Committee invites businesses and community members to participate in the Festival of Trees and Gingerbread House Competition during this year’s Annual Newtown Holiday Festival on Sunday, December 8, from 11 am to 4 pm.

The event, benefiting NYFS, brings together the community while supporting local youth and families.

Organizers invite readers to showcase their creativity by contributing a beautifully decorated tree or festive item to Festival of Trees or entering the Gingerbread House Competition. Participation in either event adds to the magic of the festival and fosters a sense of community spirit.

Every year, local businesses, organizations, clubs, families and individuals donate decorated items to the Festival of Trees. Items have included themed trees, wreaths, tabletop decorations, baskets, and more.

The Festival of Trees will again be presented in the Glover Room of Trinity Episcopal Church. Items should be delivered on December 5 between 4-7 pm or December 6 between 10 am-1 pm.

Similarly, members of the community design their own gingerbread houses to showcase during the festival. Categories this year will be for entrants age 12 and under, ages 13-18, and family/adult.

For this competition, structures should be constructed on a sturdy base (heavy cardboard, form core or even wood). Combined with the base, entries are not to be larger than 24 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches long.

Everything above the base must be composed completely of edible materials. Candies must be unwrapped and free of any non-edible materials. No artificial display materials — including Styrofoam, interior lighting or other electronic components — can be used. Non-edible materials such as paint and/or ribbon are to be used to decorate the base only. Builders are not to use anything that requires refrigeration.

Completed designs are due at Trinity Church during the same hours listed above for the Festival of Trees. After the festival, pick-up is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 5-7 pm; and Monday, December 9, 10 am-2 pm.

For additional information or to register for either event, contact Susan Smith at ssmith@newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org or 203-270-4335.

Newtown Youth and Family Services is a licensed and nationally-accredited nonprofit mental health and substance abuse clinic, providing services to over 950 clients annually. It is also a youth service bureau whose mission is to help children and families achieve their highest potential.

NYFS is the largest provider of youth support and mental health services in Newtown. For more than 35 years, NYFS has continuously provided high-quality health and youth services for the well-being of the community. NYFS turns no one away for inability to pay.