A look at the first place People’s Choice Award entry by Little Loo’s Tattoos during the 2025 Festival of Trees at the Carnegie Library Museum in Perry. Allison Ullmann/Raccoon Valley Radio

Before the Festival of Trees wrapped up last week at the Carnegie Library Museum in Perry, over 900 votes were cast for the People’s Choice Awards.

Co-Organizer Laura Stebbins says community members were able to vote for up to three of their favorite entries.

The first place People’s Choice Award was given to Little Loo’s Tattoos. Second place was awarded to Kay Weishaar and third place was St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. There was a tie for fourth place between All-Out Lawn and Landscaping and Hispanics United for Perry.

Stebbins adds that over 400 people visited this year’s festival, which included 61 entries from businesses, churches, organizations and individuals. She details that is up from 52 last year and is the most entries ever for the Festival of Trees.

Stebbins talks about the effort put in by all of the participants, including the People’s Choice Award winners.

“We had so much creativity across the board. But I felt like voters were impressed by just the creativity and the design and the uniqueness. But also I feel like they were recognizing personal handmade effort and all the time and attention to detail that it takes to make handmade ornaments for your creations.”

Little Loo’s entry featured handsewn animals for a “Welcome to the Jungle” theme while Weishaar created around 100 wool-felted lambs and shepherds. Other entries included everything from nativities to vintage Santa collections to 3-D printed ornaments and more. 

This will be the final year Stebbins organizes the annual festival with Katie Schott. The pair have organized the festival for the past 11 years and Stebbins says the Perry Public Library will be taking it over next year.

“I’m just really excited that they’re taking it over and I’m excited to see how it grows and changes and new ideas and things that they bring in. I’m excited and I think it’s in very good hands.”

She adds that the festival has continued to grow over the years from 12 when it first started to 61 entries this year. Stebbins thanks everyone who has participated in the Festival of Trees.

“We couldn’t do it without them. Katie and I could do all of the coordinating we wanted to the end of the Earth, but it takes volunteers showing up and supporting it and bringing their creative ideas. And that’s really what makes it happen.” 

This year’s participants can stop by between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday to pick up their items at the Carnegie Library Museum.