LAC LA BICHE - It’s lucky-13 for the Lac La Biche Festival of Trees this year, and lucky days for community members looking for festive fun from Nov. 23 to 26.
With still a full month to go before the 13th annual event kicks-off, festival organizer Pat Boon Anderson says it’s good to get the word out a little early so people can get ready for the big event that grows bigger each year.
She says this year’s festival will include several additional activities on Nov. 24, for people of different ages to enjoy, including a free swim and skate sponsored by AlPac and Cenovus, and a free fun-fit Friday activity that includes curling. Boon Anderson said the other members of the volunteer organizing committee are also trying to get laser tag for that day.
“We try to have something for everyone and to improve it yearly,” she told Lakeland This Week. “This year we are adding a Friday of activity for the children as most schools have a no-school day.”
Tree raffle
Another reason for the early notice, is the event’s namesake Festival of Trees raffle kicks off its ticket sales in the middle of November. Raffle tickets will be available at Farmers’ Markets starting mid-month and also at businesses around the community. The dollar-a-piece tickets will be sold in packs of 20 for $20.
An early call-out was also well-received for the annual Christmas Shopping Extravaganza-which takes place at the Bold Centre from Nov. 25-26 in conjunction Festival of Trees.
Boon Anderson said money raised through all aspects of the events go towards more than 50 nonprofit community organizations within Lac La Biche County that are focused on children and youth.
Young artists needed
This year, festival organizers are expanding cultural activities for the event, and asking the art classes in local schools to submit pieces of artwork to the Fabulous North Art Exhibition and Sale to earn an honorarium for their programs.
The Festival of Trees concept was started in 2010 by Boon Anderson, who was a teacher at the J.A. Williams High School at the time. The idea was hatched with the help of some other teachers, students and parents. It started as a school gym event — and has grown.
Boon Anderson said in the years since its inception, the Festival of Trees has grown in size and scope.
“It spreads hope, joy, and fun to everyone involved,” she said. “There will be something for everyone at this year's festival, but of course, the highlight is always the donated beautiful, decorated trees that anyone could win for just one dollar.”
Tree time
There are a lot of people helping to make this year’s event another success, says Boon Anderson, always grateful to the support of the community. In the weeks ahead, she encourages anyone looking to donate or help to contact her directly at 780-404-7911.
