Officials are in full swing with planning the 22nd annual Festival of Trees. Tickets for various events recently went on sale and officials said tickets for some events have been going fast.
This year’s Festival of Trees runs Nov. 25th-29th at Westerner Park.
Events include the Preview Dinner on Nov. 25th; the Festival Business Lunch, Senior and Volunteer Appreciation and the Taste of Red Deer on Nov. 26th; the Festival of Wines on Nov. 27th; ‘Tis the Season Luncheon and Mistletoe Magic on Nov. 28th and Breakfast with Santa on Nov. 29th.
This year’s Festival will not include Festival Lights the Night and the Festival’s Winter Solstice. The Senior Appreciation and Volunteer Sneak a Peek will be combined as well.
Tickets for Mistletoe Magic and Festival of Wines are both sold out already.
“There is a lot of excitement for the event for sure and everything is going well. There is a little apprehension about our economy but for the most part our donors are sticking with us and coming through,” said Alaine Martin, project officer for the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.
For 21 years the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre has received more than $11.8 million from the Festival of Trees, and their mission is to continue this great event through the ever changing economy, officials said.
Further reductions will be to take the Festival back to two pavilions at Westerner Park by returning the children’s activity area Candy Cane Lane, back to Stockmen’s Pavilion. However, in regards to the Festival Lights the Night, officials are excited to announce that the City of Red Deer, in partnership with the Downtown Business Association, will host a similar event ‘Red Deer Lights the Night’. This event will be a community celebration that will kick off the winter holiday season.
Fundraising efforts for this year’s Festival of Trees will be directed to enhance client care and services in the Medical Specialty Clinics at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.
Medical Specialty Clinics provides a multidisciplinary approach to care for clients in Central Alberta living with multiple sclerosis, Hepatitis C, heart failure and anticoagulation therapies as well as specialized geriatric services and stroke prevention complex medical conditions.
Over 2,000 clients per year access ambulatory services in the Medical Specialty Clinics. This number is anticipated to double by 2024.
All Central Alberta residents will benefit from the renovation and expansion of services by improving access to a specialized team and thereby decreasing wait times, officials said.
The renovations will result in an improved physical environment that supports clients with mobility aides, family presence at clinic appointments, and allowing for the creation of new and the expansion of existing services.
Enhancements to the Medical Specialty Clinics space will support individuals with chronic conditions to maintain maximum independence and avoid hospitalization.
Meanwhile, for tickets to any of the events, visit www.ticketmaster.ca or call 1-855-985-5000. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Ticketmaster outlet at the ENMAX Centrium.
For more information check out, www.reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca, email foundation@albertahealthservices.ca or contact Alaine at 403-406-5517/403-343-4773.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
