Looking for a Christmas Tree? The Avon Boy Scouts Can Help!

Clark Griswold had to trek into the Midwestern backcountry in Christmas Family Vacation to find the perfect family Christmas tree, but thanks to the Boy Scouts you don't have to go further than Avon.

Avon Troop 274 has opened its third annual Balsam Firs Forest at J. Foster Ice Cream. The troop started the season with 300 trees, which come from Northeast Kingdom in Vermont. The trees range from 6 to 9.5 feet and the troop is also selling 16-inch and 20-inch wreaths. 

"Avon resident John D’Arcangelo is the proprietor of J. Foster’s Ice Cream, and is a very active Assistant Scoutmaster for the Troop; the Scouts have benefitted greatly to have the use of such a great location," according to Assistant Scout Master Frank Campanelli.  "Other venues along Route 44 were considered, but it is generally agreed that the J. Foster’s location has been a big contributor to our success."

Prices range from $46 to $86 for trees and from $18 to $22 for wreaths. 

The tradition started in 2011 as a way to defray costs "of High Adventure outings," such as the upcoming "Florida Seabase trip in Summer 2014 and a South Dakota trip, also summer 2014," Campanelli said.

“Our fragrant trees will brighten any house during the Christmas season and, at the same time, will provide funding for our high adventure trips,” Scoutmaster William H. Roell said in a press release.   

Customers are also invited to roast marshmallows with the Scouts onsite. Girl Scouts are selling poinsettias again inside J. Foster. 

The trees will be sold from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. J. Foster is located at 4 Bailey Road in Avon. 

"This year, we are packaging the trees in plastic netting, which makes it much nicer to get through the front door and easier to transport on car tops," according to Campanelli.  

You can pre-order a Christmas tree or wreath at: avontroop274@gmail.com and the troop parents are willing to deliver trees to Avon homes. 

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Boy Scouts will also be collecting cans and bottles, as the troop does quarterly. You can drop your cans and bottles off at the Balsam Fir Forest from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.