With Christmas fast approaching, it’s time to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate.
The annual Festival of Trees will once again take over the C2, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.
The event has been a partnership between the Town of Bonnyville and the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce since it was started.
Organizer for the town, Doreen Kushnir, noted the festival has grown over the years.
“We just started off in the hub in the C2, it was just a few trees and some raffles. Then, we went up and we started a little store, we had more trees, and then we got bigger,” Kushnir explained.
The jam-packed schedule this year kicks-off on Thursday, Nov. 29 with a Christmas Tea at 2 p.m. On Nov. 30, residents can enjoy the Festival of Wines at 7 p.m. A new addition this year is the beer tasting, which happens on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Earlier in the day, families can stop by the C2 for photos with Santa from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents can also bid on a decorated tree throughout the festival, along with Santa’s Secret Shop for kids to go and do some Christmas shopping for their parents.
A majority of the funds raised through Festival of Trees go towards the Bonnyville Health Centre, specifically the Child and Adolescent Mental Health division.
“(The community) react really good to the festival... They know it’s all money staying in the town, because all the money goes to the hospital,” Kushnir noted, adding it’s crucial for the town to support such a good cause.
Serina Parsons, executive director for the chamber, said the cause is “vitally important” to the area.
“So many children and teens, they don’t know where to turn for mental health assistance. It’s hard enough being an adult, and having mental health problems and knowing where to turn... But, as a teenager or child, to face that alone without the same coping mechanisms that (adults) have, it’s vital to our community that we continue to help and give back to a cause that means so much,” Parsons expressed.
This year, the festival features a fashion show put on by the Bonnyville Centralized High School (BCHS) grad class. This event takes place on Dec. 1 at 11:30 a.m.
“(The fashion show) is for the grad class, so they’re helping out. Whatever I make, I’m going to give them half. They get half of the proceeds and the rest goes to mental health,” Kushnir noted.
While planning for the Festival of Trees happens year-round, the real work doesn’t start until set up begins.
“It’s starting (this week)... They’re going to be out there decorating trees, putting together, and creating a wonderful Christmas wonderland for our community,” Parsons explained.
