Thanksgiving is over and what better way to bring in the holiday than a FESTIVAL OF WREATHS. From what I can tell, this was first LGBTQ+ event like this in Tampa Bay. Organized by Tampa Bay’s multi-talented, Robert Rigsby (Rockell Blu), with ROCA Productions, partnering with QUENCH Lounge in Largo to bring this first annual fundraising event.

The event was on November29, 2020 from 5-7pm and included the Wreath Silent Auction, Wreath Competition and a full cast of performers including LIVE singers. All arranged to get you in the Holiday Spirit and music from DJ HOOF.

This was the first major fundraising event for the CLOSET BALL 2021 Winner, Mr. Adam Cole, who took to the stage dressed as a hunky Santa helper.

“It was really nice to have the entire group of performers from the Closet Ball completion all together once again to perform and this time for a great organization.” says Adam. “I was pretty confident going into the performance; I was definitely stepping out my normal by decided to perform a Christmas song.”

The evening’s entertainment included performances by Rockell Blu, Mr. Adam Cole, Georgia Moore, Vikthoriah Valentino, Enya Sutara Monroe, Connar Liam (Jake Sinclair), Kristin Harris (Ivi Emerald) and LIVE vocals from Alyssa Hailey Walker and Aaron W von Allmen. For the finishing performance, Rockell Blu and Georgia Moore took to the stage for a holiday duet in beautiful holiday attire.

  
  
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The festival brought almost 30 wreaths in total; all were donated and most appeared to be handmade. They create such a festive environment inside the bar. The Wreath Contest started at 5pm. Five categories in the Wreath Competition, they include: Holiday Spirit, Most Traditional, Most Creative, Child Fantasy and Most Prideful. Most wreaths started bidding at $20.00 a few larger ones with a little more work started at $50.00. (Bids increased by $3/$5 respectively.)

“The fundraiser was highly successful,” said Adam Cole, “we brought in $280.00 in donations that night alone, all going directly to projectMar. There is still time to participate in purchasing a Wreath if you were not able to make it out.”

Robert Rigbsy shared with me, “…there are a few more Wreaths that have been added for sale. If you are interested in purchasing a Wreath, starting Wednesday 12/2 through Sunday 12/6, you can drop by Quench Lounge for Happy Hour and purchase one of the remaining Wreaths.”

100% of Wreath sales and donations go directly to projectMAR in St Pete. They are a 501.C3 nonprofit offering a creative space for the performing artist in Tampa Bay.

The money raised will help with their community scholarship program. Those scholarships directly help with financial assistance; allowing students and artists to collaborate, practice and perform in a facility that supports that creativity.

You can also donate directly to projectMAR via Cash App: $themarstpete or Venmo: @themarstpete

The Winners of the Wreath Competition
Most Prideful: Kristin Harris
Most Creative: Fantasia Harris
Holiday Spirit: The Mar
Most Traditional: Charles Dayhoff
Child Fantasy: Laci and Lili Silva

Below are pictures from the FESTIVAL OF WREATHS
You can still purchase wreaths at QUENCH December 2-6, 2020

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	SOLD
	SOLD

We have tried to mark what has already sold
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-Dave Borman, Editor