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What to expect

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at Light the Tree at SCC, St. Charles Community College’s annual community celebration that brings families, friends, businesses, and organizations together for an evening of holiday magic.

Held on SCC’s beautiful campus, Light the Tree at SCC transforms the college into a festive winter destination filled with activities for all ages. Guests can visit with Santa, enjoy live music, browse a local craft fair featuring talented artisans and makers, and explore a dedicated children’s activity area filled with seasonal fun.

Throughout the evening, visitors can warm up around cozy fire pits while roasting s’mores, enjoy a variety of food and beverage offerings, and experience the excitement as the campus comes alive with thousands of holiday lights during the official tree lighting ceremony.

Free admission! Make plans to join us!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Your sponsorship ensures this event can remain open to all in our community.

More than just a holiday celebration, Light the Tree at SCC reflects SCC's commitment to building connections throughout our region. The event provides an opportunity for families to create lasting memories while showcasing the partnerships that make our community stronger.

Businesses and organizations play an important role in making this event possible through sponsorships, participation in the Tinsel Trail, and community engagement. Together, we create an unforgettable holiday tradition that welcomes thousands of guests to campus and celebrates the generosity, creativity, and spirit of the season.

Become a Sponsor

Included Benefits:

Sponsor Logo on signage at Santa's Station
Sponsor Logo on banner on the Main Stage
Center for Immersive Learning Private Party
Five VIP Reserved Parking Spaces
Vendor Booth at Event
Plus all benefits listed below

Want to talk about additional Sponsorship opportunities and benefits? Contact:
Brandon Perry
(636) 922-8278
bperry@stchas.edu

Included Benefits:

Sponsor Logo on banner on the main Stage
Five VIP Reserved Parking Spaces
Plus all benefits listed below

Want to talk about additional Sponsorship opportunities and benefits? Contact:
Brandon Perry
(636) 922-8278
bperry@stchas.edu

Included Benefits:

Sponsor logo on signage at crafts, face painting, balloon artist, and children's activities
Vendor Booth at Event
Logo Recognition on LED Signage at all 3 SCC Campuses
Reserved VIP Guest Tables for up to 10 people in the Student Center
Plus all benefits listed below

Want to talk about additional Sponsorship opportunities and benefits? Contact:
Brandon Perry
(636) 922-8278
bperry@stchas.edu

Included Benefits:

Sponsor Logo on signage at Firepits and S'Mores Area
Name included in raffle for dinner for 8-10 at Field to Table Institute
Name included in raffle for dinner for 8-10 at Field to Table Institute
Social Media Recognition
Logo recognition on event website with link back to company website
Plus all benefits listed below

Want to talk about additional Sponsorship opportunities and benefits? Contact:
Brandon Perry
(636) 922-8278
bperry@stchas.edu

Reserve A Tree

Welcome to the 2026 Tinsel Trail Season!

We’re excited to kick off a magical year of holiday cheer! Showcase your business by sponsoring a tree at the 2026 Tinsel Trail at SCC! Tree sponsorship is an easy and affordable way to promote your organization while supporting SCC’s Light the Tree community event.

For just $500, you’ll receive an assembled tree to decorate and make your own. Get creative, show off your unique style, promote your business, and help us transform the Tinsel Trail into a festive holiday experience for our entire community!

This reservation is for our standard 5 1/2- 6-foot tree. SCC will provide, set up, take down and store the tree after use.

Tree Cost: $500.00

SCC Light the Tree event:
November 21, 2026

Event time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Tree Lighting 6 p.m.

Tinsel Trail is open 24/7:
November 21 – December 13

Last day to reserve a Tree is November 13, 2026.

Decorating Days: November 20, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Undecorating Days: December 14 – 16, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m

Layout: We are excited to have the Tinsel Trail fully located on the college’s main campus this season! Tree placement will be in the order of paid sponsorship. Once all trees have been reserved and placed, participants will receive a map of the Tinsel Trail layout.

Tree Spacing: Each tree will be in a 5’ x 5’ space. If your design extends beyond this area additional fees will apply.

Signage: Tree signage with logo or custom message will be provided by the college and placed in front of the tree. Other signage may be used on the tree only.

Decorating: If you prefer not to remove your decorations yourself, no worries, we’re happy to assist! A $100 removal fee will apply.

Decorations should promote a positive, welcoming, and inclusive representation of the College and Community and be appropriate for viewing by the general public and individuals of all ages.

Downloadable PDF Tree Decorating Details

Let‛s make this holiday season magical!

St. Charles Community College (SCC) will provide each Tinsel Trail paid participant with one artificial tree approximately 5 ½ - 6 feet tall.
Each participant will be assigned a 5’ x 5’ space for their tree. Additional fees apply for designs exceeding this area.
Assembly and Tear-Down of Tree: St. Charles Community College responsibility.
Last day to reserve a Tree is (Friday), November 13, 2026.
Tree Set-up and Placement: Trees assembly and placement begins (Monday) November 16, 2026.
Placement on Tinsel Trail will be in order of paid sponsorship.
Decorating period: November 20, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Trees must be completely decorated by 9:00 p.m. on November 20.
Tear-down period: December 14 – 16, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Decorations not removed by this date will be discarded by SCC.
SCC will undecorate your tree for an additional fee of $100.00.
Electricity: Each tree receives one electrical connection. Participants must supply one outdoor rated extension cord.
Lighting: Outdoor-rated LED lights. Non-LED lights will be disconnected by SCC. Floodlights are not permitted. Additional lighting used may be solar powered.
Weather Resistance: Decorations and lights need to withstand rain, wind, and potentially winter weather during the Tinsel Trail period.
Decoration Attachment: Decorations should be firmly secured with wire, zip ties, pipe cleaners, or string. Loose ornament hooks are not recommended.
Glue: Water-soluble glue is not recommended.
Spray Painting: Spray Painting of trees or decorations is not permitted on campus grounds.
Each SCC-issued tree will be provided one designated sign with company logo or custom message for the front of the tree. Other signs are permitted and must be placed on the tree.
Maintenance: SCC staff will remove any decoration which poses a safety hazard.
It is the responsibility of the sponsor to monitor tree decorations throughout the display period.
Decorations should promote a positive, welcoming, and inclusive representation of the College and Community and be appropriate for viewing by the general public and individuals of all ages.

Downloadable PDF Guidelines

Included Benefits:

Name listed on sponsor signage
Recognition on event website

Want to talk about additional Sponsorship opportunities and benefits? Contact:
Brandon Perry
(636) 922-8278
bperry@stchas.edu

Craft Show

Join us Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, for a festive two-day craft show celebrating local artisans, talented makers, and small businesses. Explore a wonderful selection of handcrafted creations, unique gifts, and one-of-a-kind finds you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re shopping for loved ones or treating yourself, you’re sure to discover something special to make your holiday season a little brighter. Come browse, shop local, and support the creative makers in our community!

Contact Information

Vendor Registration Questions: communityeducation@stchas.edu
Community Education phone: 636-922-8233
Amy Scheers, Director of Community Education

Event Overview

St. Charles Community College hosts a two-day holiday craft fair featuring artisans, makers, and small businesses
This is a "day before and day of" component of the Light the Tree at SCC community event on Saturday
Focus on unique, handmade, and gift-ready items for holiday shoppers

Event Schedule

Friday, November 20, 2026 – Setup: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM; Event: 2:00 PM–8:00 PM
Saturday, November 21, 2026 – Refresh: 3:30 PM–5:00 PM; Event: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM; Breakdown: 8:00 PM–9:30 PM
Vendors must remain set up until 8:00 PM Saturday

Location

St. Charles Community College Recreation Center
Indoor event- Rain or shine!

Vendor Fees

$75 before October 1, 2026
$100 on/after October 1, 2026
You will have 80 square feet (8x10) including a table and storage space.
Includes two chairs
Includes listing in printed vendor guide (register by November 10)

Registration Details

Deadline: November 16, 2026 at 9:00 AM or until full

First-come, first-served assignment

One vendor per space; no sharing allowed

Double spaces require two registrations

Vendor Types

Handmade art and crafts
Jewelry
Candles, soaps, bath products
Seasonal décor and ornaments
Packaged specialty food items (no immediate consumption)
Gifts, stocking stuffers, and artisan goods

Vendor Restrictions

No food-to-eat-now vendors
No cooking or refrigeration setups
No unsafe, offensive, or misrepresented products

Booth Information

6 ft table or 8 ft defined vendor space
Displays must remain within assigned area
Must not block aisles or neighboring booths
Limited electricity available; designate need on registration; bring extension cords

Setup & Logistics

Detailed load-in instructions provided prior to event
Bring carts or dollies
Overnight setup permitted with limited security. Building will be secured overnight.

Payments, Sales & Taxes