GILROY, Calif. - (Nov. 2, 2005) - Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park is known for its world famous Circus Trees, but on Friday, Dec. 2, the non-profit theme park boasts about a different kind of tree - - Christmas trees and the spirit of giving!

For the first time, Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park will host the Third Annual Festival of Trees Premier Dinner and Live Auction benefiting Rebekah Children’s Services, a non-profit children’s mental health provider in Gilroy. The $75 per person auction dinner runs 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and includes a traditional holiday dinner buffet with savory side dishes and desserts served inside the park’s majestic Snowflake Palace. Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably for an outdoor winter evening that also includes an exclusive stroll through the park’s Holiday Lights display. There will be no rides in operation during this event.

As part of the evening’s live auction, guests may bid on 30 full-size Christmas trees and wreaths lavishly decorated by local businesses and individuals. These one-of-a-kind trees will also be on display at the park Nov. 25 – 27 and Dec. 3 – 4 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. during the park’s Holiday Lights event. All proceeds from the Dec. 2 event benefit Rebekah Children’s Services Risk Prevention and Education Services for students in the Gilroy Unified School District.

“Bonfante Gardens is delighted to partner with Rebekah Children’s Services in an effort to improve the lives of youth in our community,” said Barb Granter, vice president of Bonfante Gardens. “This event combines the magic of the holidays with the spirit of giving,” added Granter.

For more information or to purchase tickets for this pre-ticketed private dinner, please visit www.rcskids.org or call (408) 846-2142.

Bonfante Gardens is a nonprofit organization managed by Paramount Parks.
Bonfante Gardens, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is California’s only horticultural theme park designed for families with young children and garden lovers featuring 19 rides, 27 attractions, majestic gardens and the world famous Circus Trees. Attractions are designed to educate guests and foster a greater appreciation of the natural world and man’s ability to shape it. Bonfante Gardens is managed by Paramount Parks. The park is located in Gilroy, Calif. on Hwy 152 (West) just off Hwy 101. For more information, call (408) 840-7100 or visit www.bonfantegardens.org.