The Festival of Trees is back for another year of giving to Primary children’s Medical Center.
The festival will be hosted at the South Towne Expo Center on Nov. 28 through Dec. 1, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The festival is organized by a volunteer board of eighty-five women who invest their time and talents from thousands of individuals, businesses, and families in Utah.
“My extended family goes to the Festival of Trees every year,” said SLCC Business student, Alex Morgan. “Every year someone in the family buys a tree. Last year my family bought a Disney tree. It is so much fun to see the creativeness of the different themes and decorated trees.”
According to the festival board, over $30.8 million has been raised through the festival since 1971.
The festival donates every penny raised to the children at Primary Children’s Medical Center
In addition to charity care, the Festival of Trees supports other programs such as music therapy. The hospital has a music therapist working full-time for pain management, physical therapy and emotional release. The festival also supports research programs for children undergoing cancer, heart disease, prematurity and other illnesses.
“We love to support Primary Children’s Medical Center,” said Morgan. “I and others in my family have spent a lot of time in Primary Children’s and we have had nothing but great experiences. It is a first class hospital.”
Opening night was held on Tuesday Nov. 27. The event hosted a silent auction of trees, centerpieces, gingerbread, playhouses, quilts and wreaths. The festival includes over 700 decorated trees of every shape, size and theme. The trees were sold at a private auction on opening night, which was an “invitation only” event.
Any trees not sold on opening night are available for purchase throughout the rest of the festival.
A photo with Santa is another activity families can enjoy at the festival. The gift boutique is a place to find unique gifts for someone special while supporting the cause of the festival.
“I look forward to The Festival of Trees every year,” said Morgan. “It’s festive and fun and it never seems like the holidays to me until I go.”
