Festival of Trees 2021. (Red Deer Regional Health Foundation)

By Sheldon Spackman

Nov. 25-27, 2022

Tickets on sale for 2022 Festival of Trees at Westerner Park

Oct 28, 2022 | 2:52 PM

Tickets are now on sale for one of Red Deer’s premiere events during the upcoming holiday season.

The 2022 Festival of Trees runs Nov. 25-27 at Westerner Park and includes a $5000 Early Bird prize, 50/50 Draw, and 14 daily prizes to be won starting January 10, 2023, as part of the new Christmas Jungle Daily Add-On.

The annual event is a major fundraiser for the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. This year, money raised will go to the Intensive Care and Cardiac Care Units at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

For the last 28 years, Festival of Trees has raised funds for healthcare enhancements for the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and other health centres in central Alberta.

As the only facility in Central Zone with Intensive Care and Coronary Care beds, officials say Red Deer Hospital will be creating a permanent space for CCU and expanding its ICU beds by eight, for a total of 20 ICU beds. Officials acknowledge the healthcare system needs more capacity, and this expansion is hoped to be the first step in responding to the increased demand for high-quality care for patients in the ICU and CCU.​

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It’s noted that cardiac enhancements and expansion of bed space have been a longstanding priority for Red Deer Regional Hospital, and Festival of Trees organizers say they are thrilled to support the equipment needs in these new spaces by providing CPAP/BI-PAP machines, ultrasound systems, Glidescopes, and much more.

Manon Therriault, CEO, Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, says this year’s Festival of Trees will once again be featuring its favourite traditional elements and special activities, such as the Festival of Wines, Mistletoe Magic, Festival Pancake Breakfast, and a Sponsor Welcome Reception.

“Festival of Wines is the wine, the beer, the spirits, the food, and then Mistletoe Magic is bringing back that entertainment and the dinner for those fathers and daughters who have been part of that tradition for so long,” says Therriault. “We’re able to bring back our Christmas trees and our silent auction items that have been donated by our community and then we’ll also have a new pancake breakfast on Sunday for people to come and grab a bite to eat while they’re there. We’re really excited to come back full force this year.”

Public activities at this year’s Festival of Trees include the Tree Room, Candy Cane Lane, Silent Auction, Gift & Sweet Shop, raffles, Mini Trees and Wreaths, Electronics and more, as well as the Entertainment Stage.

Therriault admits it’s been tough on the event’s volunteers to have to hold back over the past couple of years due to COVID-19 and its accompanying health restrictions.

“Whereas now, all the ideas are flowing and the work is happening and it’s fun work, it’s good work. It’s work that makes us feel good to be able to fully support our hospital with this event,” she exclaims.

Therriault says both staff at the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, and the volunteers and organizers of Festival of Trees are very proud of the legacy and impact the event has had on the community.

“This event started with volunteers and it has been heavily volunteer-driven for years and years and years,” says Therriault. “To see the community come together and pull something off like this in conjunction with our team, it’s one of the biggest events in Red Deer, so to see it go towards the support of our healthcare system, it’s amazing to see that we can continue on year after year.”

If you’re interested in volunteering for the 2022 Festival of Trees or want more information, visit reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca.