Event set for Dec. 1 at Christmas Tree Festival

The Cultural Center will be hosting its annual Winter Fundraiser at the New York Mills City Hall Ballroom on Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m.

The Cultural Center’s fundraiser will include many opportunities to connect, create, and cultivate the arts, including pay-to-play creative activities to bring out the artist in everyone, a live auction, quilt raffle drawing, wine tasting by Mills Liquors, Winter Gifts featuring Minnesota artists and makers, as well as an online auction kick-off.

Creative activities will include holiday floral door swag led by Christina Kickhafer of Red Barn Greenhouse ($15 fee); holiday cocktails with Mixologist Cassie Hahn of Great Plains Hospitality ($20 fee); zero waste gift wrapping with Cedar Walters of Otter Tail County Solid Waste ($5 fee), and Precious Plastics ornaments with Erik & Barb Peterson, Artists/Makers/Designers ($10 fee). Or do all four creative activities for $45. Call 385-3339 to reserve a spot, register online at kulcher.org, or sign up at the event.

The Live Auction by Perala Brothers Auctioneers is sure to entertain and provide access to unique treasures. Bid on vintage Liberty Theater chairs, an at-home Italian cooking experience with Delfi Ciampi of Italian Made Easy, a one-of-a-kind Pam Robinson hand-painted telephone bench, and more beginning at 7 p.m.

The fundraiser will be the last chance to buy raffle tickets to win a handmade quilt made by Mellie Peach. Tickets are $5 and available now at the Cultural Center. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the event, and winner will be drawn following the live auction (need not be present to win).

The first ever online auction will begin on Dec. 1 and feature artist made goods, vintage treasures, children’s items, and more. The event will be going virtual due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. bidding will take place from Dec. 1-10 and items can be picked up as soon as Dec. 11.