This Christmas season there is an impressive display at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. Masterpiece paintings, beautifully decorated trees and the excitement of spectators make this exhibit especially breathtaking.

The Christmas trees are an annual tradition at the Met and are on display from Dec. 2-Dec. 31. The Met Club is sponsoring the 20th annual Christmas at the Met: Artistic Expressions December 2001 on Dec. 2.

The Central Valley’s most talented and creative designers and artists are involved in this spectacular display. This features 73 reproductions by the world’s most renowned painters. Masterpiece paintings will be beside every tree, including Van Gogh and Monet.

“This exhibit provides a great learning experience for children of all ages and an opportunity to see great works of art,” Anne Olson, the co-chairman for the Met Club, said. “This is the first time all of these classical paintings have been under one roof and it is a bit overwhelming.”

There will be choir performances and dancers Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays as well as schools participating with their own drawings and paintings.

“I helped to cerate the theme this year (Artistic Expressions),” Olson said. “I think that this exhibit will help bring the Fresno community together through the involvement of the public with works of art from schools in Fresno, including Fresno Christian.”

Christmas at the Met

Fee admission is offered at the Met every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission for students with a valid ID is $3.00; adult admission is $6.00

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

The City’s Annual Christmas Tree was on display on Dec. 4 at 5:00pm in the lobby of the second floor of Fresno City Hall. The Fresno Historical Society is in charge of decorating every year. Mayor Alan Autry and other city council members were present and the Central California Children’s Choir performed.

For more information call 498-1560 or 441-0862.

Christmas Tree Lane

Every year, residents along Van Ness Ave decorate their homes for others to view. While Christmas themes vary form house to house, tradition never fails in Jessica Persiani’s, ’03, home.

“We have only lived there for about a year and a half so this is the second year we have done any decorating,” Persiani said. “We put candy canes in the yard with a huge sign that says ‘Noel’. We all decorate together and listen to music. So far every year we add something new. Sometimes the news stations are there getting footage of Christmas Tree Lane.”

Christmas Tree Lane opened Dec. 4 to pedestrian traffic only from 6 to 10pm. Christmas Tree Lane is free but Santa will accept donations near the end of the lane. Tree Fresno will receive all benefits.

Traffic will flow north on Van Ness Ave daily from 6 to 11pm. The street will be closed to all vehicles again on Dec. 11. For more information call (559) 278-4378

Trek to the Nations Christmas tree

The trek is from Selma to Grant Grove in the Sierra Mountains. If students choose to eat brunch the bus will leave at 10:00 and if students only would like to join for dinner the bus will leave at 12:15. Bring very warm clothing because there will be snow and the weather is very unpredictable.

The costs for the trip: $33.00 for the ride up and buffet lunch; $18.00 for only the bus rides; $33.00 for the bus ride to Montecito-Sequoia Lodge and the buffet dinner.

Huntington Boulevard

Huntington Boulevard’s annual Candlelight Christmas tree lighting ceremony was held on Dec. 5. Huntington Boulevard is open to holiday traffic beging at 6pm.

Woodward Park

Woodward Park’s Fantasy of Lights is now in season again and is open on weekdays at 6pm and on weekends from 6pm to 11pm. The cost is $10 per car with 1-10 people and $25 for more than 10 people. This spectacular display began on Nov. 21 and continues until Dec. 30.

“This is my first year interacting with any sort of event such as the Fantasy of Lights,” Karen Graff said. “I have the pleasure of working with the local press. I answer any questions on the local news channels may have about the event. I am also currently working with the American Heart association where I help with the donations from the Fantasy of Lights. The wonderful organization that put up the lights and glamorous decorations this year was the Crystal Valley Decorating Association.”

All proceeds from Fantasy of Lights go to The American Heart Association. For more information call 498-1145.