The annual Christmas Tree Festival is set up at the ENMAX Centre this week for its 28th year. (Credit: LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Christmas Tree Festival to raise funds for Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation

Nov 21, 2022 | 3:21 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Christmas Tree Festival is back in Lethbridge, just in time for the holidays.

Now in its 28th year, the annual celebration is all about raising money for local healthcare.

Through an array of sponsors, 19 beautifully decorated trees will be auctioned off to support the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation at a gala event on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

Executive Director for the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, Allan Bartolcic, said, “All proceeds go towards the greatest needs of the hospital, which is really important to retain and attract talent for state-of-the-art equipment and we need that certainly to continue to move forward as a hospital and as a foundation.”

Money raised will also go towards supporting other programs and services within the Chinook Regional Hospital.

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In previous years, trees have been auctioned off for upwards of $12,000, and this year could be no different with some spectacular decorations to dazzle guests.

Attendees can expect to see some trees decked out in real flowers, construction hats, gingerbread homes, and one tree is even modelled after the popular TV show, Yellowstone.

A few trees even come with some additional prizes, such as a diamond ring, a vacation to Palm Springs, and free tickets to a variety of events at the ENMAX Centre.

There are 19 sponsored trees at the annual Christmas Tree Festival. November 21, 2022. (Credit: LNN)

Back in 2019, the last time the event was held in person, the Foundation welcomed over 4,000 people to take in the winter wonderland experience and raised over $160,000.

This year, with no COVID-19 restrictions in place, Bartolcic expressed how excited they are to welcome people back to re-discover some holiday magic at the Christmas Tree Festival.

“Come on by, everyone is welcome. Let’s just have this as a kickoff to the holiday season and we look forward to seeing everybody here,” he added.

Christmal Tree Festival gala and auction kick off Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Credit: LNN)

The public is welcome to wander through the festive display for free at the ENMAX Centre from November 21 to 22, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., or take part in the free family skate from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the 21st.

Parking will be free at the ENMAX Centre for the duration of the event.

Tickets for the gala and auction on Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m. are still available online. Bartolcic anticipates upwards of 400 people taking part in this year’s event.

Learn more about the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation Christmas Tree Festival.

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