Prince George, B.C. – The Spirit Of the North Healthcare Foundation will open the Civic Centre doors to the public tomorrow for the 15^th Annual Festival of Trees. This is the  largest fundraiser for the  Spirit of the the North Healthcare Foundation.

 

Over 300 volunteers have been working over the past year to prepare for the nine day event this year. 

 

 

David Wharrie, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, says the event planning started the night they closed the doors for last year’s festival, “We have a dinner the last evening and critique the event. This is also where we come up with the theme for the next year. We have added four days onto the event to include breakfast fundraisers, a seniors tea, and a dance.  We also have some other additions such as one hundred tickets that will be sold to win a trip for two anywhere Wesjet flys for $100.00 each, a Via Rail Pass and a Kung Fu Panda raffle tree. ”

 

The Festival will feature 27 large trees as well as a  number of small trees and wreaths.   Last year the highest bid was $25,000 for the Tim Horton’s Tree.

 

Shirley Worthington, a volunteer for the event for the last five years, says people have 2.5 days to decorate their trees before the unveiling, “Some hire designers and give them a budget and others purchase a tree and have volunteers help design and decorate.” 

 

The week begins tonight with a Gala Auction sponsored by Commonwealth Financial which includes a preview of the trees and a six course dinner. Tickets can be purchased for $125.00 each.

 

 

Saturday November 22:     Doors Open 9:00am to 9:00pm. 

Sunday November 23:        Family Brunch 10:00amto 12:00pm ($13.00).  Doors Open 12:00pm -6:00pm.

Monday November 24:       Doors Open 9:00am to 9:00pm

Tuesday November 25:      Doors Open 9:00am to 9:00pm. Fashion Show 7:00pm to 9:00pm Tickets $25.00

Wednesday November 26: Doors Open 9:00am to 9:00pm. Civic Centre Light Up Event 6:00pm

Thursday November 27:     Doors Open 9:00am to 9:00pm. Silver Bell Seniors Tea 1:00 to 3:00pm ($5.00 and includes 

                                            admission to festival that day).

Friday November 28:          Doors Open 9:00am to 9:00pm. Coffee Break 9:00am to 11:00am ($5.00 and includes

                                            admission to festival that day).

Satureday November 29:   Doors Open 9:00am to 9:00pm. Jingle Bell Dance 8:30pm Tickets $25.00

Sunday November 30:        Teddy Bear Breakfast 8:30am ($13.00)Doors Open 11:00am to 4:30pm.

 

Admission to event is $5.00 for Adults (Week Pass $8.00), Family $10.00 (Week Pass $15.00) Seniors and Students $3.00 (Week Pass $5.00). 

 

Bidding on all trees and wreaths close Sunday November 30 at 4:00pm.