Here is a little history of the festival...
The Festival of Trees was inspired 46 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front. These women were challenged by Lewis M. Jones, Chairman of the hospital's Men's Endowment Board, to identify a way to raise funds for Primary Children's Hospital. Organized as the Women's Endowment Committee and led by Betty Wells, the group sold tickets to the Ice Capades and dabbled in other projects in an attempt to raise funds. They soon determined they had spent too much time and energy for too little return. They searched for one project they could devote all their efforts on.
That project was inspired when Co-Chair Ruth Flint vacationed in Hawaii and attended a Christmas boutique featuring small, decorated Christmas trees, centerpieces, and Christmas decorations. The Women's Endowment Committee expanded the concept to include full-sized decorated Christmas trees, a gift boutique, and sweet shop. At that time, Primary Children's Hospital was owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and much of the support would come from church members.
That first year, there were approximately 60 trees for display and sale in the gymnasium of the old Armory off Sunnyside Avenue. To everyone's surprise and delight, $47,000 was raised!
Today, the Festival of Trees is held at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. Over the years, this beautiful event has blossomed into a festival that spans over 220,000 square feet of display space.
Perhaps the greatest phenomenon of all is that everything is donated. The trees are decorated and purchased by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and church groups. In addition, others generously donate items to fill the shops. Businesses provide the paper and printing of posters and tickets. Corporations offer their covered trucks and drivers to help deliver the trees, and so much more! Thousands of people contribute countless hours and means to give "A Gift of Love" to children. In 2016. the Festival raised $2,622,903.88 for children at Primary Children's Hospital.
Over the years, Festival of Trees has been copied many times throughout the United States and Canada. However, the Salt Lake City Festival of Trees remains the "granddaddy" of them all.
My daughter Kaylie is a talented dancer and her studio would perform every year at the Festival. We would then spend time walking through the aisles looking at all of the beautiful trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, etc...and who can resist all of the YUMMY food and treats you can purchase!! BUT....our favorite part is the Kids' Corner where you can talk to an Elf at the North Pole or make awesome crafts or ornaments or even stand in a booth and be surrounded in a big giant soap bubble!! Such a magical, fun place to be. The feeling of joy and good wishes to all abound there.
Now we have a new reason to visit the Festival!! Lucy and Cole, our 2 oldest, with the help of a family friend donate a tree every year in honor of their sweet mother. They come up with a theme, shop for ornaments and then decorate the tree. They LOVE delivery day! They always seem so excited and really enjoy setting up their tree and honoring their mom. I am so thankful they have this event every year to honor her and I know they love that all of the proceeds go to help children who are in need of special care too. They get to go before the rest of our family and they usually have a tree or two that they love and want to show us in addition to their own!!
The theme they chose this year was 'dancing all night'....here are Lucy's words explaining it!! "One of my favorite memories of my mom is her dance parties. even when she was sick and in pain from her cancer treatments, she would turn on some music and we'd all dance it out. these dance parties were the inspiration for this year's tree-dancing all night."
Many people remember these dance parties and talk about them fondly. It was a blessing to them all and a sweet reminder of the woman who meant so much to so many.
Go check out the Festival if you are able! You'll love it and want to go back every year!
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Heather
