The Fourth Annual Taste Of The Festival kicks off in Methuen on Friday, November 16th, with special guest appearance by chef and restaurateur Paul Wahlberg of Hingham’s Alma Nove and Wahlburgers. This culinary celebration features specialty foods from 25 local restaurants as well as the unveiling of more than 225 spectacular Christmas trees to kick off the 19th Annual Festival of Trees.
Paul Wahlberg has been a noted chef in many of Boston’s top kitchens, including The Four Seasons and The Charles Hotel. His lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant came true in the summer of 2010 when he opened the upscale Alma Nove with the help of his famous brothers, actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg. They recently opened their second restaurant, Wahlburgers, a tribute to one of their family’s favorite dinners.
The Festival of Trees began to fund the restoration of the Tenney Gatehouse in Methuen, MA in 1994. It is a magical event held annually by The Festival of Trees, Inc. to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season. The proceeds from the Festival of Trees provide funding to preserve the heritage and the monuments that make Methuen and the communities of the Merrimack Valley unique. The Festival of Trees has been a catalyst for historic preservation and has contributed $1.2 million dollars to fund over 140 preservation projects throughout the Merrimack Valley.
When: November 16th, 6pm-10pm
Where:Â Valley Office Park, 13 Branch St., Methuen
Tickets can be purchased by calling 603-893-2288 or by going to methuenfestivaloftrees.com by November 1 (Tickets are limited to 400 guests). The Festival of Trees officially opens Nov. 17 and runs through Dec 1. It’s open weekdays from 5-9 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving. Tickets cost $8.00 weekdays and $10.00 weekends and children under 12 are free.