Incredible Christmas Tree Forest at Ravalli Co. Museum

Again this year, organizations, businesses and imaginative people have created unique decorated Christmas trees in the Ravalli County Museum's Gallery of Trees in Hamilton. Each tree has different theme and all are for sale in a silent auction. But, the auction ends Saturday evening, December 4, so you don't have much time to make a bid on your favorite.

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The end of the auction coincides with the final songs of the museum's Country Christmas Concert. The show in the second floor main display area includes music from Pinegrass' Jack Mauer and Britt Arnesen, along with cowboy poet Tim Huls. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music starting at 7 p.m. Tickets available at the museum and at Chapter One Book Store. During the concert, you can munch on snacks and admire (and bid on) the trees.

The creativity is evident from the themes for each tree. The "Silver & Gold Wings" tree greets you at the top of the stairs. Through the doorway (photo above) you'll find "Pretty in Pink," "Vintage Christmas," "Santa & His Furry Friends," "Beach Party Christmas," "Sweet Old-Fashioned Christmas," "Tea Party," "Cheers," and "Homemade Christmas."

Here's a sample of what you'll see:

The museum is at the corner of South 3rd and Bedford in Hamilton and has a gift shop with Bitterroot-themed art and books, along with wooden toys and fuzzy animals for sale. You can visit the museum during the day Friday and Saturday before the concert to see the trees, too. There's more information at their website Also, every Saturday at 10 a.m. there's a kids' activity planned, and this Saturday it's creating greeting cards.