Festival of Trees a sparkling seasonal fundraiser

UPDATE: The Festival of Trees 2025 raised $47,200 and the Second Time Around Store’s Boutique sale raised $35,500 for a weekend total of $82,700 toward the purchase of a new echocardiogram for the County’s hospital.

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
Fondly known for many years as the unofficial start to the Christmas season, the County’s most beloved Festival of Trees celebrated its 32nd year this past weekend with its famous, and very festive, annual fundraising event.

For three days, folks flocked to the Isaiah Tubbs Resort and Conference Centre on the West Lake Road to visit buildings full-to-brimming with seasonal goodness, festive fantasy, warmth and light and good cheer.

The PEC Festival of Trees is the largest single event (after Second Time Around Shop sales) organized and run by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The volunteers raise much-needed funds to purchase medical equipment for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

Proceeds are being tallied, but this year’s fundraising goal is a big one at $152,000. The event in 2024 secured a record $80,000 raised with proceeds from the same weekend Second Time Around Shop Christmas Bazaar included.

The funds will help contribute toward the purchase of a new echocardiogram for the hospital – an expensive piece of medical equipment, and one that is critically needed.

An echocardiogram essentially produces an ultrasound test which checks the structure and function of the heart and is an important piece of equipment, with more than 12,000 echocardiograms conducted at the hospital annually. The current one is at the end of its useful life. Many in the community are not aware that funds needed for any medical equipment for the hospital are not provided by the government (or anyone else). All medical equipment needed is fundraised by the community.

Debra Norcross, one of the many hospital auxiliary volunteers, handed out treats at the event.

Organizers note that it is only down to the generosity of community that makes all the magic happen, and the event successful – along with the many auxiliary members’ time and effort, and countless volunteer hours.

With the halls decked, the three-day festive celebration not only brings more little (three-foot) decorated “trees” in one location that can be imagined, but the chance to take one (or more) home in the silent auction. Also, the ever-popular bucket draw raffle saw a good selection of donated items, including kitchen accessories, cookware, knitwear, glassware, and champagne.

Always popular and always an early sell-out are the auxiliary’s famous baked treats of cookies, square, bars, muffins, tarts, pies, fudge and more.

A “tree” can be many things from traditional or vintage, whimsical or wild, and not necessarily a tree at all (think art work, stained glass, doll houses, textiles, wreaths, etc.). Every year, the selection, the ideas and the creation amaze visitors. And there was even more dazzle, twinkling lights, gorgeously decorated trees (along with many other creative creations) among the 250 entries this year, something of a record, according to organizers.

Many, many businesses and individuals generously donate and contribute to the silent auction items making the season a little brighter in more ways than one. The “trees” are inventive, creative and decorative, colourful, meaningful, and sometimes extraordinarily unique, sometimes totally unexpected, with each thoughtfully created.

Crafters and creators included woodworkers and glass makers, but there were also books and games and toys, many with unusual and often humorous themes, amusing inflatables, furniture, and even a keyboard and a hand-crafted scale model of a Dutch windmill. There was food and wine, and pets were also not forgotten, and there were something for the birds too.

While the idea is to bid, and to bid often, returning often, and on many items as possible for the silent auction fundraiser, the free admission, family-friendly holiday event can equally be enjoyed where browsing is essential to the enjoyment of the occasion. Here folks can immerse themselves in the delightful festive atmosphere – not forgetting to bid, of course.

For the little ones, Santa put in an appearance on Saturday, and live entertainment throughout all three days added to the incredibly special atmosphere this event always brings.

Bill Woods, Command Performance, Drew Ackerman and Bill McBurney, Shout Sister, Caleb Hutton, Greg and Jenny Garrett and Use Guys were among the musical line-up over the three days.

Also over Friday and Saturday was the Christmas Boutique at the Second Time Around Shop in Picton where items are collected all year long and saved especially for this special sale of items. On offer among the gift items was jewelry, home decor, books, Christmas decorations and more.

The Festival of Trees – for both first-timers and returning visitors – brings joy and raises spirits, as well as funds, with a boost to the blues in a aesthetically beautiful wonderland of lights and warmth and colour. The perfect holiday escape, at least for an hour or two.