Left to right, Louise Erbach, Koreen Lawrence and Janelle Cox at the 2019 Festival of Trees. This year's event runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2 at the WDM. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

27th annual event

Festival of Trees fundraiser for BUH Foundation launches Friday

Nov 24, 2022 | 2:18 PM

People can start to get into the holiday spirit with the Festival of Trees fundraiser for the Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation that kicks off Friday at the Western Development Museum (WDM) in North Battleford.

BUH Foundation executive director Leanne Ducommun is encouraging people to come and take in the festivities.

The event will return in person again this year after taking a pause during the pandemic. The festival fundraiser was held virtually for the past two years.

“We are extremely grateful that we can be back in person to showcase all of the beautiful pieces we have. We have a really great line-up of events going on as well,” Ducommun said.

The fundraiser this year will support the purchase of a ceiling lift tracking system for the Palliative Care Department at the Battlefords Union Hospital.

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“This is a system that helps assistant in moving patients for safe-patient handling,” Ducommun said. “Most patients that are in palliative are often [dealing with] terminal illness and require full care. This ceiling tracking system helps ease in the adjustments of moving the patient when needed.”

Themed “A Royal Christmas,” The Festival of Trees fundraiser event will run from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2 this year.

Opening Night celebration: On Friday, Nov. 25, there will be a VIP reception and tree viewing starting at 5:30 p.m., with doors open to the public starting at 7 p.m. The evening will include a welcome cocktail along with treats from Tim Hortons, a sneak peek at the WDM’s “Light up the Village,” and entertainment by the Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble, a Ukrainian dance group from Saskatoon, beginning at 8 p.m.

Kids’ Day: Sat., Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can come and have photos with Santa. There will also be crafts, face painting, sleigh rides, a dance party, and other activities.

Royal Family Garden Party: Sun., Nov. 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy an afternoon tea that includes tasty cakes, teas, petite sandwiches, sweet and spiced baked items, and festive snacks.

Seniors’ Day: Tues., Nov. 29, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This community event is open to all seniors to enjoy an afternoon filled with musical entertainment, coffee/tea, and dainties, along with a chance to view all of the beautifully decorated items.

Cocktails and Creations night: Wed., Nov. 30, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event features Christmas craft-making. The night will include a sign-making class hosted by Autumn + Ash. Refreshments and snacks will be served, along with a chance to view all the decorated and auction items.

Black Tie Bingo: Fri., Dec. 2, with reception starting at 6 p.m. This marks the week’s grand finale event. People can attend a traditional gala along with a dance party. There will also be a four-course meal, and a chance to win cash prizes for the bingo games. It will also be an opportunity to make final bids on the decorated and silent auction items, a Bubble and Bling giveaway, cocktail samplers, live auction, and other activities during the night. This event is the Festival of Trees largest fundraiser.

There will also be an event called the Wonders of Christmas – Trees by Children. This community initiative will showcase trees at the festival by a bid by donation. People can make a donation for one of these trees, receive a charitable tax receipt and the tree will be given to a family in need this Christmas.

Ducommun hopes people will take some time to visit the Festival of Trees to get in on the fun and help a worthy cause at the same time.

She took the opportunity to thank all the businesses who sponsored the event as well, including diamond sponsor Gold Eagle Casino.

“This is such a busy time of the year, and we’re getting pulled in so many different directions,” Ducommun said. “Let’s just take a moment to just stop, be present, breathe, and take it in. This is what the festival is really all about. It gives you an opportunity to take a little bit of a step back, appreciate the little things in life, and come get into the Christmas spirit. Let’s just really enjoy it.”

Tickets to all the events during the festival are available through the BUH Foundation.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow