Thousands of people are expected to take in this year’s Festival of Trees which is set to open to the public this Friday. The event runs through until Sunday.

Last weekend Red Deerians gathered in the downtown core to take in the Festival Lights the Night – the official kick off to the Festival of Trees. Various activities took place with the main event being the Santa Claus parade. Pidherney’s entry, a lit up tractor pulling the sleigh of reindeer, took first prize in the parade.

Tonight a select few will get to enjoy a sneak peek of the 19th annual Festival of Trees at the preview dinner. Public hours to the event begin on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The event will also run on Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are still some tickets available for three events at the Festival of Trees including Cirque de Noel which takes place Nov. 22 beginning at 7 p.m. There are also tickets available for the Festival Business lunch on Nov. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Seating is also available at the ‘Tis the Season Fashion Luncheon on Nov. 24. Doors for the lunchtime event open at 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon includes a fashion-filled event coupled with a good meal. Tickets for all of these events can be purchased on line at www.tickemaster.ca, or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.

Proceeds raised from the 2012 Festival of Trees will go towards upgrading equipment and technology for Laboratory Services, Department of Histopathology.

This new technology and equipment will help increase the capacity to maintain acceptable timelines for laboratory testing for the growing needs at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

For more information on this year’s events, check out www.reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com