What is the MML Tsothohrha Tree Festival? Why is my help so important?

Tsothohrha is the Mohawk word for the Moon "Time of Cold".  Native American Mohawk tribes play and played lacrosse and they call and called the game Tewaarathon. 
Tewaarathon, in the Mohawk language, means "little brother of war".
MidMaine Lacrosse elected, in tribute to the Mohawk and other Native Americans from whom we borrow the game, to call our tree festival Tsothohrha.

Why host the Tsothohrha Tree Festival?

The festival is fun. The festival serves as a creative fund raising mechanism for our lacrosse organization.  MML does not charge admission to this event.
Area business donated support 'primes the pump' but substantional work is required by players and their parents to put on a successful festival. Players learn and are reminded that lacrosse play opportunity is earned by working hard.
MML fund raises for equipment, paint, balls, rent and referees. 
Last year we earned approximately $2000 which helped to fund our 2015 spring season for nearly 100 youth grades K-12.

When is the Tsothohrha Tree Festival?

The festival is free and opens to the public at 3pm Sunday December 6th at the Palmyra Community Center. The festival concludes at 6pm.
There is a rain date (ice storm) on 12/13 3pm.

How do the Trees get Sponsered and Decorated?

For a sponsorship of $50, MidMaine Lacrosse provides a tree with lights which the business may decorate or the business can designate a community or school/booster group to decorate. Each group that decorates a tree receives 50% of the "vote dollars" in their stocking.

What is a Tree Raffle?

The is no admission fee to the festival. It is free to the public.  
Festival attendees purchase raffle tickets. 
These raffle tickets can be used to purchase food OR to "vote" on a particular tree. 
There are stockings positioned by each tree. Raffle tickets are placed into the stockings. 
At 5:00pm "voting" ceases. 
The tree with the most tickets wins, "Best-In-Show." 
Another tree is judged as "Most-True-to-Cause." 
Then Santa chooses one ticket from each stocking and the winner wins the tree and all it's decorations and prizes.

A Costume Contest? 

Folks dress as Elves, Snowman, Santa, Candy Canes or ?????
A winner is announced after 5pm

The Concession Menu?

Dough Boys $3.00 or 2 for$ 5

Chilli - $2.00

Walking Tacos - $2.50

Mac and Cheese -$ 2.00

Assorted Drinks $1.00

Coffee - .50 cents

When do Festival Director's need helpers? 

1.We need to pick up the trees in Hartland on Saturday.        https://www.volunteersignup.org/P4KEK
2.We need helpers Saturday to set up trees and put lights on them. Each tree receives two sets of lights either color or white.
3.We need helpers on Sunday. https://www.volunteersignup.org/P4KEK
4.We need donations of food prior to Sunday morning. @ https://www.volunteersignup.org/4TH7A


What is the Tsothohrha Tree Festival Format?

Saturday (TBD) Tree and Light Set up

Sunday
8-10am Food Drop Off
10:00-12 noon Dress Rehearsal for Production numbers. 
     1. HS Boys 2. Girls 3. MS Boys 4. SM Vocals 5. Ballet (this is not the show order)
12-2pm Tree Decorator's decorate trees
3:00pm Doors Open to Public. 
3:00-6:00pm Concessions. 
3:00-5:00pm Dexter Brass 
3:00-5:00pm Public purchases raffle tickets.  They can vote of favorite trees by placing ticket in stocking.
5:00pm 
Voting Ceases
Santa arrives and show begins. (This allows time for votes to be tallied.)
"Tree Most True to Cause" is announced.
"Best Tree in Show" is announced.
Costume Contest winner is announced.
Trees are raffled. When last tree is raffled. We help people bring trees out of the gym. Winners must be present to take home prize of tree.
6:00pm Conclusion
6:00pm until "The Work is Done" We clean up

Yes, All MML players and parents that contribute,

as EVERYONE should, will be tired. 

The more helpers the less exhaustion......

Photos from Tsothohrha 2014

Thanks you for your support.

MidMaine Lacrosse

www.midmainelacrosse.com