Festival of Trees Danville

03/27/2026

As Balloons Over Vermilion celebrates its 10th anniversary and Festival of Trees Danville prepares to mark its 30th holiday season, the true milestone lies in the impact these events continue to make across Vermilion County.

On March 26, Balloons Over Vermilion and Festival of Trees announced their 2025 Community Impact Award recipients, granting $180,000 to 31 organizations supporting area youth and their families.

“This year marks a record number of award recipients and matches the largest total amount given back to our community,” said Jim Anderson, Balloons Over Vermilion NFP Board Vice Chair. “In our first year of awarding these grants we gave $30,000 to just three organizations. Today, more than 130 groups across Vermilion County have benefited from these grants since 2017.”

With this year’s awards, the total community investment from the combined events has reached $865,000.

These events are made possible each year by two very dedicated steering committee, generous sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers.

“Our community continues to show up in incredible ways,” said Balloons Over Vermilion NFP Board Chair Pat O’Shaughnessy. “Whether it’s buying a ticket, enjoying a treat, exploring the magic of the Festival of Trees, or bringing family and friends to experience a balloon launch, every moment of participation helps make these events possible. The support we experience continues to grow stronger each year.”

Balloons Over Vermilion NFP was created in 2016 by local balloon pilots and volunteers who wanted to bring back the excitement and wonder once experienced during the former Oldsmobile Balloon Classic Illinois, which ended in 2001. From the beginning, organizers shared a clear mission: It’s for the kids.

Each year, a third- or fourth-grade class from Danville District 118 or a Vermilion County school is selected as the Student Ambassador Class for the Balloons Over Vermilion event, helping to shape the festival experience for everyone.

“Our student ambassadors play a special role in our planning,” said Balloons Over Vermilion Event Co-Chair Carly Goodwin. “They share what they want to see at our event and even get a sneak peek of what’s to come.”

Goodwin added, “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re excited to welcome our largest ambassador group yet—Mrs. Libby Torbit and Ms. Kylie Sherer’s fourth-grade classes from Salt Fork North Elementary School.”

03/12/2026

Join us as we celebrate the impact of Balloons Over Vermilion & Festival of Trees! 🎈🎄

In just nine years, these events have helped grant over $685,000 to organizations supporting youth and families across Vermilion County.

Be a part of the celebration at the 2025 Community Impact Awards on March 26th at 10:30 AM at the Fischer Theatre in Danville. We'll honor our 2025 Student Ambassadors, announce the 2026 school, enjoy surprise entertainment, and award a record amount in community grants!

We hope to see you there!

11/20/2025

🥁 Drum roll please! The Festival of Trees Raffle House WINNERS are….

Children’s Play House: Jennifer Camareno
Winner Wonderland Lotto Tickets: Stephanie Tog
MVP Shopping Spree: Tracy Cherry
Meijer Grocery Giveaway: Diane Swartz
Scoot Around Town Scooter: Jennifer Klecker
Chilly Winner Retro Refrigerator: Austin Rosenberger

Other Raffle baskets winners include:
Debbie Michenfelder
Christian Gash
Chase Benjamin
John Dudley
Aubriella Hill
Tim Purcell
Madison Pasley
Logan Hawver
Shelley Thornton
Alayna Leverenz
Nichole Hawkins
Katrina Cope
Sue Daugherty
Emily Stone
Conner
Toni Chase
Allison Dean
Mary Lovejoy

Congratulations to all of this years winners! And a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Festival of Trees Raffle House through both purchasing tickets and sponsorships! You make it happen! 💚

(Please excuse any typos to your names. We did our best!)

11/20/2025

Our elves are hard at work packing away another amazing Festival of Trees! It was a real pleasure to host our Seniors today! This group truly enjoyed the spirit of the Festival! 🎄

11/19/2025

It is senior extravaganza day at the Festival of Trees!

Seniors 60 or better receive FREE ADMISSION today until 3 PM!

11/19/2025

The votes are in for the Festival of Trees 2025 People's Choice winners. Congrats to the Grinch wreath, It's a Wonderful Life large tree, and Dino Truck small tree!

There's still a few hours left to visit the Festival of Trees at the David S. Palmer Arena. Visit these lovely winners along with all the other beautifully decorated trees and wreaths of the Festival, buy some raffle tickets and cookies before 3pm today!

11/19/2025

You have SHOWED UP for the 2025 Festival of Trees! So much that we ADDED special events to make sure everyone could enjoy them!

Thanks for our quick moving Steering Committee and our sponsors for stepping up to make these extra event possible!

Check out Glow-Ho-Ho Bingo, Round ✌️

11/19/2025

Be sure to join us tomorrow at Festival of Trees Danville for Senior Extravaganza!

Liberty Village of Danville is proud to be one of the sponsors along with Synergy Homecare of Central Illinois and Autumn Fields Adult Community - Tilton.

We look forward to spending part of our day with area seniors!

FREE admission from 9 am until 3 pm

11/19/2025

It’s the final day of the Festival of Trees, and we’re celebrating Senior Extravaganza! 🎄💫 Guests 60+ enjoy FREE admission all day long. Come soak in the sights, take your time strolling the displays, and enjoy one last day of holiday magic at the David S. Palmer Arena. Don't forget to visit the Gingerbread Bakery, Raffle House, and more! Let’s finish the week with joy!

✨ 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬'𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 ✨
9am-3pm

✨ 𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡✨
𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: $5
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝟯-𝟭𝟮: $2 (Under 3 are free!)

✨ 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 ✨
✅ Bring cash - many of the extra activities require cash.
✅ Clear bag policy is in place at the Palmer Arena- purses and backpacks must be clear and can not exceed certain sizes. Visit www.palmerarena.com/safety-security-procedures/ for more info.
✅ All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times - special events included!
✅ Dress in layers...there's ice under our floors!

Check out the whole Festival schedule online: www.festivaloftreesdanville.com/festival-program

See you at The Festival!

11/18/2025

We want to take a minute to send a huge THANK YOU to two special educators and their students from Oakwood CUSD #76. Ms. Cheryl Davis is a 7th grade teacher whose esteemed group of students "House of Reveur" has gathered donations for Festival of Trees for the past two years! Librarian Tracy Carrigan has also worked with students for several years to collect donations for our cause.

We are incredibly grateful for these teachers who instill the spirit of community and giving to their students at such a young age, and we are BLOWN AWAY by these amazing kids. 💙 Your generosity will help us support countless children in our community.

11/18/2025