STURGIS, SD – The holiday season is officially here and Black Hills residents were in a giving mood as hundreds of locals descended on First Interstate Bank in Sturgis on Friday night for the 31st Annual “Festival of Trees”, a fundraiser for community charities here in the Key City.
Admission was $10 per person with auctioneer Adam Karrels hosting the live auction of decorated Christmas trees that were donated by local businesses and individuals. The Festival of Trees also featured a Silent Auction, with items donated by local business and community members. First Interstate Bank president Bryan Hencke says that more than $48,000 was raised with donations still coming in.
“A big thank you to the Festival of Trees Sturgis board members, the staff of First Interstate Bank, and especially the decorators and bidders for all of their hard work and their generous donations,” Hencke said. “All of their contributions and hard work made the 2025 Festival of Trees another huge success for our community. We will have more than $48,000 to distribute to worthy causes right here in Sturgis.”
Hencke said that $5,000 will go to the Kiwanis Food Pantry here in Sturgis, with the remainder of the money being split between the Sturgis Lifecare Foundation and the Greater Sturgis Foundation.
