Hoping to simplify your Christmas to-do list? You’ll find a handy shortcut in this weekend’s Festival of Trees.
The ninth annual festival, held at the Creighton Community School gymnasium, will feature a silent auction of artfully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and centrepieces created and donated by local individuals, businesses and organizations.
“It’s a wonderful way to begin the holidays,” says Laurel Mackie, festival organizer and executive director of CADAC outpatient centre.
The auction is the key fundraiser for CADAC’s substance abuse program, which offers assessment, counseling, treatment and referral services.
With a craft and business show, a breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, and pictures with the big guy all day long, there are plenty of diversions at the festival.
Nevertheless, the festive decorations on auction are the real highlights, with each design team putting a creative foot forward in the hopes of winning an award from the panel of judges.
Festival visitors also have their say in the results: they can cast votes for the People’s Choice and Best in Show awards.
With creativity encouraged, each décor item is unique, ranging from traditional to avant-garde designs. Past crowd-pleasers included a pink Christmas tree topped by a Barbie doll; a tree adorned entirely in toques; and a tree adorned with handmade ornaments highlighting players from the Creighton Kodiaks football team.
In addition to funds raised for CADAC via auctions and a silver collection, the event benefits several other charities.
The festival is a drop-off point for both the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank, which accepts non-perishable foods, and Koats for Kids, which collects gently used winter wear and blankets and distributes them to children, teens and adults who need them. Donations accepted include jackets, boots, mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, socks and blankets.
The weekend is also a major fundraiser for the Creighton Community School graduation, as 2016 graduates will be generating dollars through an afternoon tea and a bake sale during the event.
In addition, for a small donation, attendees can light a bulb in memory of a loved one at the Memorial Tree, with funds going to the Flin Flon Health Auxiliary.
The Festival of Trees will be open tonight, Friday, Nov. 27 from 6 to 9:30 pm and runs Saturday, Nov. 28 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Creighton Community School Gym, with bidding closing at 3:30 on Saturday.
