By HOLLY COX
For one week each year, 200,000 square feet of gray cement in the Salt Palace Convention Center sprouts a forest of brightly lit Christmas trees during the Primary Children’s Hospital “Festival of Trees” fund-raiser.
The festival has become the premiere fundraising event for the hospital since its inception 26 years ago. It began when the Men’s Endowment Board at Primary Children’s Hospital challenged a group of 15 women to raise funds for the hospital. The first festival, which featured about 60 trees in a gymnasium at the Salt Lake Armory, has since grown to fill the Salt Palace.
More than 500 trees are on display this year, including a 7-foot evergreen dedicated to this years rage — Pokemon. And a giant candy tree made of jelly-beans and gumdrop slices.
This years trees range wildly, from a handkerchief garnished tree made of horseshoes welded together, to a tree done brightly in orange and blue Denver Broncos style, to a full-sized Christmas tree made over into a giant gone-fishing Teddy bear, complete with pole and inner-tube.
Everything at the festival is donated: the printing of tickets and advertisements, the boutiques, sweet shops, trees, decorations, and the delivery service of the trees after the close of the festival. All of the money that is raised at the festival does directly to the hospital to help needy children who can’t afford health care.
The Festival of Trees raised more than one million dollars last year, and more than 11 million since 1971, according to a news release from the Festival of Trees committee.
Much of the merchandise at the Salt Palace was sold Tuesday night in a private auction, some of the larger trees going for thousands of dollars. At the end of the festival on Saturday night, the purchased trees will be bagged and readied for delivery on Sunday and Monday.
Sharon Geurts has long been involved with the Festival of Trees and now serves on the Alumni Board at BYU. Geurts, along with her daughter, Stacy, serves a shift at the gazebo on the convention floor.
Geurts spent 10 years readying trees for delivery in the Provo area, and said the festival is a wonderful thing.
“The best part is trying to involve the whole community,” says Geurts, “It’s such a nice way to start the holiday.”
Most of the trees are decorated in honor of people who have received treatment at Primary Children’s Hospital, and many are dedicated by family and friends to loved ones who have died.
LaRaine Littleford and her daughter, Loralea Anderson come to the festival often. Natives of Orem, the two say they enjoy the spirit of the occasion.
“I love the atmosphere, and I love the idea,” Littleford said.
Reading the stories and dedications to young people who have died, Anderson said she agrees.
“It’s heartbreaking, but so touching at the same time!”
“Festival of Trees”
PLACE: Salt Palace
CHARITY: Needy children at Primary Children’s Hospital
DONATION: Adults: $3.50, Children: $2, and any food or crafts purchased.
DATE: Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
