For the fourth consecutive year, the Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston kicks off the holiday season with its unique annual FEZtival of Trees, named for the distinctive headgear by which Shriners are known throughout the world. The atmosphere inside the century-old temple at the corner of Sabattus and Main streets in Lewiston is redolent with the sights, smells and sounds of the season. “Breathtaking” is the most frequent observation.

Tim Luttrell, an organizer of this event since its inception, said, “Our goal, when we started back in 2006, was that the Kora Shrine FEZtival would grow into an anchor of the community holiday season in Lewiston-Auburn, and we’re getting there pretty quickly. We’ve had steady growth each year, and last year was our best so far.” Attendance topped out at over 5,000, and income has nearly doubled since the first year.

The Kora Shrine started this unique tradition as a fundraising event to support the local temple, its fraternity and good works, with about 20 trees on display. That number will have more than doubled at this year’s event. Trees are sponsored by individuals and businesses, are fully decorated, and are arrayed in the temple’s great Ceremonial Hall for two weeks in November. Visitors can participate in raffles for each individual tree, and winners will be drawn as the FEZtival concludes on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. There are also all sorts of other raffles, live entertainment, a silent auction, plenty of food, and a craft fair. Santa will be on hand, as well. Added to the array of trees this year will be a special Lottery Tree, adorned with $500-worth of Maine State Lottery tickets. “If any of the tickets are winners, the tree could be worth thousands to the lucky bidder,” Luttrell explained.

In addition to a chance to get an early start on the holiday spirit, and perhaps win a tree for your own home, the FEZtival provides a rare opportunity for the general public to visit the iconic temple that has dominated Lewiston’s downtown for a full century.

Among the oldest and most ornate facilities still in use anywhere in the U.S. network of Shriners’ organizations, the building itself has been shrouded in mystery for much of its history here. The Shrine has been commemorating the centennial year of this unique architectural treasure all year long, but will be open to the public only during FEZtival hours:

Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, November 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday, November 23, 4-8 p.m.

Tuesday, November 24 (private function)

— Chamber Business After Hours, catered by DaVinci’s —

(closed for Thanksgiving, Wednesday-Thursday, November 25-26)
Friday, November 27, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

All of the nearly three dozen Shrine units and clubs, such as Kora Klowns, Crazy Cops, the band, the Funsters and the Royal Guard, will welcome visitors, and there will be information available about membership in the Masons (order of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, the lodges of Freemasonry, one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organizations), prerequisite to achieving membership in the Shrine.
Admission to the temple and the FEZtival is still just $2 per person (kids are free), and tickets for the tree raffle are five for $10. You can enter to win an individual tree five times, five different trees once each, or anything in between. Income from admissions and raffles is used for maintenance of this special facility, and proceeds from craft sales accrue to the participating crafters.

Known for its special combination of family-oriented fun and philanthropy, especially the network of specialized hospitals providing free care to kids all over the nation, the Kora Shrine has created the FEZtival as a way to celebrate the season. All are welcome for this limited time opportunity to see beyond the walls.