Each visitor has their own reason for looking forward to the yearly Feztival of Trees. It could be a love of Christmas, the beauty of the decorated trees, the fascination of the gifts under them, the family & community, or the beloved sneer of the Grinch.
“You know, it’s amazing how many families even come through. It’s something they look forward to doing every year,” said Feztival of Trees committee member Penny Brueggen.
Each year, members of the Zor Shriners’ Sparta Midgets parade unit organize Feztival of Trees at the Sparta Masonic Center.
"For most of the year, it is a large blue lodge room with chairs along the sides. For Feztival of Trees, it becomes a room filled with lights, artificial snow, and decorated trees, each with gifts underneath," said Feztival of Trees committee member John Hendricks.
"This year, there will be 32 of them," added Brueggen.
Now in its sixth year, the event has grown into a holiday outing that people return to with their families, sometimes several times during the week. Brueggen and Hendricks say the community has helped shape what it has become, both by attending and by contributing trees.
"It's become less of a fundraiser or commercial event, more of a community event," Hendricks said.
How it began
The idea began with a practical need. The local Shriners midget car parade unit needed to replace its aging cars, and the group borrowed money to buy new ones. Penny and Al Brueggen suggested a Feztival of Trees fundraiser, an event other Shrine groups had held elsewhere.
Visitors can buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a tree. Winners take home everything: the tree, its decorations, and the gifts displayed beneath it. Sponsors are asked to invest at least $500 in their tree and prizes. What goes into a display depends on who puts it together.
Past themes have included baking, family game nights, sports, movies, and fishing. Some sponsors have included large prizes, such as freezers and fireplaces. Others have built their displays around a color or a traditional Christmas theme. A Lego theme is among this year's additions.
Some trees carry memories, too. One family returns with an International Harvester tractor theme in memory of a loved one who enjoyed the tractors. A fishing tree this year will also honor a family member who has passed away.
Business sponsors remain an important part of the event, but families, nonprofit groups, and other organizations have increasingly taken part, the organizers said. For families contributing memorial trees, the display offers a way to remember someone while sharing something that person loved.
Interest has reached the point that the room is full. Brueggen said she already has seven prospective new sponsors for next year.
"32 trees is pretty much filling the building for sure,” Brueggen said.
“It would be even bigger if we had a bigger space, but we’re pretty maxed out on square footage.”
More trees would require more space, and organizers have discussed the possibilities. For now, they expect to stay at the lodge. Its location works well, and putting on the event requires access to the building well beyond the week visitors see it.
Brueggen recalled advice Hendricks gave her as the event developed: the number of trees mattered less than how well they were done.
That attention extends beyond the trees. Brueggen changes the room's decorations each year so returning visitors see something different.
The committee
A committee of 16 people from the Sparta and Tomah areas runs the event. What began with meetings a few months before the event has become a year-round effort, with the committee now meeting monthly. Current Feztival of Trees committee members include John Hendricks, Al Brueggen, Penny Brueggen, Jessica Christensen, Larry Krauss, Penny Krauss, Dan Smithburg, Kelly Smithburg, Tony Reeves, Paige Decorah, Al Coenen, Linda Thomas, Jim DeVoe, Lu DeVoe, Chuck Adams and Julie Rodgers.
Members promote the event year-round and take on different jobs during the week, from decorating to helping visitors.
“Festival of Trees is something that they embrace so much that they’re out there year-round promoting Festival of Trees," said Brueggen.
The event has grown to include more than trees. Santa, the Grinch and Cindy Lou have become part of the festivities. Children can sit in a midget car for a photograph. Refreshments include apple pie nachos, hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies and popcorn, and organizers plan to have a doughnut truck outside each day this year.
How it works
Admission to Feztival of Trees is $3, with children 12 and younger admitted free. A $10 season pass is available for those who want to visit more than once. Raffle tickets cost $1 each or $20 for 25 tickets, offering a chance to win a fully decorated tree and its accompanying gifts, valued at $500 or more.
After you purchase raffle tickets, you can walk from tree to tree and place your ticket inside a tube next to each tree. You can use as many tickets as you like per tree. The tickets in those tubes determine the winner of that tree. Winners do not need to be present for the 6 p.m. drawing on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The event supports the local Shriners midget car parade unit. Hendricks emphasized that it is not a direct fundraiser for Shriners Children's. Proceeds help cover the unit's cars, maintenance, trailers, and travel to parades. Paying those expenses through Feztival of Trees allows more of the money their unit earns from parades to support Shriners Children's, he said.
Community
For visitors, the connection may begin with recognizing the little cars they have watched in a parade. For organizers, the event is also a chance to bring neighbors together at a time of year that can be difficult for people who feel alone.
“People can come at any time while we’re open and be amongst a whole bunch of people. Some of them are probably experiencing the same thing that they are. Enjoy that camaraderie," said Hendricks.
Feztival of Trees will run Nov. 16-21 at the Sparta Masonic Center, 603 N. Court St. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The night of the drawing brings its own entertainment. Organizers have watched winners figure out how to fit a decorated tree and all its gifts into a vehicle. Hendricks said some have simply carried their tree home.
Street parking is available. The lodge entrance has a couple of small steps and no ramp. Organizers said volunteers are glad to help visitors into the building. Groups interested in arranging a visit outside regular hours can contact a committee member; Hendricks said they would be receptive to discussing arrangements.
People who cannot attend but want to contribute also may contact any committee member about a donation.
Hendricks hopes families make the visit part of their holiday routine.
"And of course we hope it becomes a family tradition to kick off the Christmas season by going to the Festival of Trees," he said.
For more information, to donate, or to get involved, contact Penny Breuggen at 608-487-1205 or email at Pennysue_6@hotmail.com.
IF YOU GO
What: Sixth annual Feztival of Trees, featuring 32 decorated trees and accompanying gifts.
When: Nov. 16-21, 2026
Monday-Friday: 4-8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Sparta Masonic Center, 603 N. Court St., Sparta.
Admission: $3; children 12 and younger admitted free. A $10 season pass allows repeat visits throughout the week.
Raffle tickets: $1 each or 25 for $20. Each winning package includes a decorated tree and gifts valued at $500 or more.
Drawing: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Winners need not be present.
Extras: Visits with Santa or the Grinch; bring a camera. A mini doughnut truck will be on the grounds Wednesday-Saturday.
Hosted by: Zor Shriners’ Sparta Midgets parade unit. Proceeds support the local parade unit.
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