The Festival of Trees 2024  Bobby Gordon &  Nick Duckro

By JP Emerson

Bobby Gordon The King of Christmas

Please introduce yourself.

Hi!  I’m Bobby Gordon, the “King of Christmas”, Founder of Festival of Trees San Diego and its parent non-profit organization, BGCA/Big Gay California.  

Tell us about being part of the Festival of Trees 2024?

I’m beyond proud and humbled that my small idea to host a holiday party that gave back to the community has now become a Hillcrest tradition in 4 short years.  Festival of Trees has truly turned into the official holiday kick off for the LGBTQ+ and allied communities in Hillcrest and throughout San Diego.  I never imagined that we’d be talking about this event today at the level it has grown to, and that has truly become my life’s work and passion.  The community has played such an important part in coming together every year with their generosity and spirit of collaboration for the betterment of others—a common cause—like I said, I’m humbled and proud to live and breathe and think about this event every day of the year.  The creativity from our supporting businesses and individuals decorating trees has created a spirit of competition and over-the-top fabulousness that I never could have dreamed of.

What is new for this year’s event?

I’m overwhelmed with joy that we have sold out for 3 years in a row.  We owe much of our success to insideOUT and Matt Ramon’s team, but we simply outgrew the space.  It was an essential goal of mine—a mandate from the beginning to keep the event in Hillcrest.  So, when Rich’s and Ryan Bedrosian agreed to be our new venue, I was ecstatic because that meant we didn’t have to move the venue downtown or elsewhere.  We have room to grow at Rich’s and amazing VIP experiences planned for the new space.  Plus, guests can now get an up-close view of each of the featured trees and have some enhanced VIP experiences.

Bobby Vargas-Belcher joined our team early this year as the new “Event Committee Chair,” and his vision has brought us a group of new and motivated volunteers who are focused on making this the best event yet.  They’re also the masterminds behind our new Christmas in July celebration at Uptown Tavern and our Nightmare Before Christmas Hillcrest bar crawl just before Halloween.  Bobby Vargas and his team’s plans for guest experiences, silent auction growth, pictures with naughty Santa and crew, and more have really helped me focus my efforts on broader community and media engagement, fundraising with existing and new partners, and outreach county-wide.  We’ve already increased our sponsor base and reach this year as a direct result.

Joining me on stage this year will be of course Moe Girton, who has been my amazing co-host every year, as well as her fabulous wife and Miss Gay Pride 2024, Dawn Stultz, and Nick Duckro, our tree auctioneer.  Nick has served on our Board of Directors from the start, and I’m thrilled to have his help leading the focus of the event; our tree auctions. Finally, the San Diego Armada Rugby Football Club has volunteered to personally deliver the trees to winners’ homes the following day.  

Stay tuned for a special announcement coming from local elected leaders at our event this year.

We also doubled our Board of Directors this year, with the additions of: 

Mike Bullhair, Secretary

Dawn Stultz, Member-at-Large

Austin Evans, Member-at-Large

Just wait until you see the amazing tree themes our sponsors have chosen this year.  It’s going to be breathtakingly captivating with the creativity and spirit of our community.

And last, but not least, we’re thrilled to have Shannel from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 1 and All-Stars joining us for the festivities!  I can’t wait to share the stage with the “Queen of Christmas” from Las Vegas, and to see the amazing energy she’ll bring to our event!

Can we talk about this year’s fund recipient, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center?

Yes! They are an amazing organization that is often overlooked.  When I founded Festival of Trees San Diego in 2021, I always envisioned that we would rotate beneficiaries depending on need and other factors.  This year, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center has designated our sponsorship to support their county-wide HIV/AIDS resources and youth engagement/mental health resources; specifically, to help prevent LGBTQ+ suicide.  That’s still the number one cause of death for LGBTQ+ kids today.  It’s so important to me that we support organizations locally in our community that provide such vital resources, and they need our help.  Especially in this political climate and divided society where hate, non-acceptance, and stigma are still a “thing.”  If I can help just one single person in need, just one family who is dealing with a family member with HIV/AIDS, or convince just that one kid that their life is worth living despite all the challenges they’re facing in today’s world…it’s worth the work I give to this organization every day of the year.

The Festival of Trees kicks off the holiday season, how do you get in the spirit?

Well, as the King of Christmas, I’m always in the holiday spirit!  I love listening to holiday music when I’m in the mood, regardless of the date.  Hosting Festival of Trees kicks off my holidays as I always set up my tree and decorations the week of the event.  It’s my way of decompressing after the event.  The lights, decorations with memories of my family growing up, and celebrating with friends and chosen family all throughout the season make it so very special for me.

How can folks get involved?

First, get your tickets before we sell out!  Even with more space this year, we will sell out of VIP.  And, it’s not too late to sponsor our event this year—potential sponsors are welcome to contact me directly.  We’re a small but mighty organization that’s 100% volunteer based so we’re always looking for volunteers to help put on our event.  Email us at volunteers@festivaloftreessd.org for more information.  Visit us at www.festivaloftreessd.org or on Instagram or Facebook.

Nick Duckro 

Please introduce yourself (tell us a little about you)? 
My name is Nick Duckro, I moved here from Phoenix, AZ just over 5 years ago. I moved here for the sunshine and great weather! I was a Real Estate Agent in Arizona and am in the process of finishing my Real Estate License here in California as well. I currently bartend at the AWOL bar in the Hillcrest, and I throw club night parties with my partner, Mike, at The Rail. 

Tell us about being part of the Festival of Trees from the beginning of the event? How have things changed since you started your involvement?
Both Bobby Gordon and I moved here from Phoenix around the same time, and after COVID restrictions were lifted, Bobby wanted to bring Festival of Trees to San Diego as he had done a similar event in Arizona. He asked Josh and me if we would be willing to help! I started out as the Santa the first year, which ended up with me becoming one of the founding Board Members. How have things changed? The momentum is astounding! We’ve raised over $100k in the short time that we’ve been able to do this, and it’s really incredible to be able to give back to those in need in the city I love so much.

The importance of getting involved in events like the Festival of Trees?
Community, really. San Diego is a big town, but a small town – so uniting our community in a way that helps other people while bringing others together is incredibly important to keep our community thriving. 

You’re in the role of “the auctioneer” this year. You’ve watched Mariam T and Bobby Gordon in those roles the past few years. What do you have planned for this year?
Having previously played Santa at these events, I feel I bring an exuberant tone to the role – it’s going to be fun! I’m no stranger to the microphone and have emceed crowds of over 5,000! 

The Festival of Trees kicks off the holiday season, how do you get in the spirit?
Christmas lights. Decorating. My partner makes fun of me and calls me Clark Griswold when it comes to putting lights on the house. We are “The Griswold Gays of Talmadge” and last year we put up just over 15,000 lights on the house. 

Invite our readers to get involve and attend this year’s Festival of Trees:
Put your Santa hats on and get in the holiday spirit – if you’re wavering at all with the holidays, this event will help get you into the spirit! Our new larger venue at Rich’s means it’s a great place to have a gay olde time!