5 reasons to go to Festival of Trees
Join us for the 31st annual Mary Bridge Children’s Festival of Trees, supporting Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Festival will kick off on Dec. 1 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center.
This year’s visitors will enjoy a glittering display of more than 30 decorated trees at events during public hours. Trees will be auctioned off to benefit Mary Bridge at a black-tie Gala on Saturday night.
Here’s why we think you’ll love this year’s Festival:
1. It’s a fun and festive way to kick off the holiday season.
There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to be surrounded by friends, family, beautiful trees and music.
While you’re taking in the scenery, consider that the entire event wouldn’t be possible without hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and talents to plan, design and decorate the trees.
“We share a love of bringing delight to people during the holiday season through decorating,” say Shonnessy Gilmore and Kate Corona, two of this year’s tree designers.
2. You won’t see trees like these anywhere else.
Every year, the Mary Bridge Reading Wagon program brings in more than 2,000 donated books to help make life just a little bit better for the children who visit our hospital.
That generosity is what inspired Lori Tanner, Trixy Dorn and Bud Thompson’s tree this year with the theme of “Planes, Trains, Automobiles…and Books.” Their 7-foot tree will be decorated to reflect the unique sights of the Pacific Northwest by each mode of transportation, and donations will go toward a new book for every child who visits Mary Bridge.
Amy McGlinchy, a nurse for Mary Bridge Pediatric Urgent Care in Gig Harbor, has eight years of tree designing for Festival under her belt. At her clinic in Gig Harbor, she sees firsthand how much patients and families enjoy LEGOs — it’s what inspired her to design a LEGO Seahawks tree this year.
“I see the wonder and excitement in the kiddos’ eyes,” McGlinchy says. “LEGOs bring joy to all ages and are a way to connect with patients (kids) and their families.”
Other themes you’ll experience as you walk through Festival of Trees include a peek into the wizarding world of Harry Potter, a journey to Middle Earth inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and a glimpse into an African safari.
See all of the themes created by our talented tree designers during Festival’s public hours.
3. Festival supports patients at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.
All proceeds from Festival of Trees support children and families who depend on Mary Bridge for lifesaving care, health and healing.
Since 1987, Festival of Trees has raised more than $31 million for the hospital.
4. You’ll learn new tips and tricks for your own holiday decorating.
You’ll get plenty of ideas for your home décor after seeing the twinkling trees on display at Festival. The Festival tree designers are full of tips, and they’re eager to share.
Designer Sherrie Swanson’s go-to strategy is to make a statement with lights.
“It’s always about a gorgeous, wonderfully decked-out, lit-up tree full of lights and bright ornaments,” she says.
That’s the style that inspired her tree’s theme, “The Velveteen Rabbit.” This will be Swanson’s second year as a designer.
Our youngest tree designers, high school students Grace Boseley and Maddee Allen, are designing a tree together for the second year. Their tree, “Snow Much Fun,” has a vintage woodland theme.
“Designing trees gives you a fun outlet to express yourself,” they explain.
To get a jump-start on your inspiration before the event, read these tips from previous years’ Festival of Trees designers.
5. You can visit Santa.
Bring the kids to meet Santa before he finalizes his shopping lists for 2017. Photos are free, but donations are accepted.
Festival of Trees 2017 event schedule
Festival of Trees public hours are Friday, Dec. 1, from 9am-1pm and Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10:30am-2pm.
Admission
- General: $6 each
- Students (ages 13-18): $2 each
- Children 12 and under: free
