Festival of Trees: November 2018

Festival of Trees is excited to announce that the Diesel Brothers will be coming to Festival of Trees on Thursday, November 29th from 7pm - 9pm.

Heavy D, Diesel Dave, The Muscle and Red Beard will all be available to take pictures and sign autographs. Their big, fancy “6x6” truck will be in the Mountain America Expo Center for the public to view. All proceeds will be donated to the Festival of Trees.

You can watch their show on the Discovery Channel. Buying diesel trucks headed for the scrap heap and giving them new leases on life has turned into big business for the Diesel Brothers. Led by Heavy D and Diesel Dave, the crew works hard and plays harder as they trick out the trucks for use in elaborate pranks and stunts, all of which becomes a marketing tool on social media. Millions of hits later the company is known as the destination for diesel lovers who are looking for custom builds, crazy stunts, pranks and hilarious antics.

The Diesel Brothers are known to give back to their community. Especially now, they hold Festival of Trees and Primary Children’s Hospital dear to their tough, but tender hearts…

Van Oakes, a long-time member of the Diesel Brothers, his pregnant wife and three daughters were returning from dinner on June 2nd, 2018, driving in their ATV. The vehicle spun out and flipped several times before landing. Their four and five-year-old daughters were thrown from the vehicle.

Van managed to lift the ATV enough so his wife could pull out four-year-old Kaizley. Both Kaizley and Rylinn were life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital and suffered traumatic brain injuries. They spent a month in Primary Children’s Hospital and both have made amazing recoveries. They are grateful for amazing doctors, nurses, prayers and miracles that helped to save the lives of their daughters.

Van and his family have enjoyed coming to Festival of Trees over the years

Beaver, Utah -- a picturesque town, known for being the gateway to the Tushar Mountain Range and for having the "Best Tasting Water" in the Nation. It is the birth place of Philo T. Farnsworth and Butch Cassidy. The Cache Valley Cheese Factory has the freshest cheese curds and tastiest ice cream. The town is full of generous folks who have a strong sense of community. They are taught to work hard, play hard and to take care of their neighbors.

Something magical happened in Beaver County in 1983. It would change the county for 35 years and then some. Excitement started early in September and continued through to December. A wonderful Festival was planned that would bring the people out to celebrate, share, and bring gifts of love. There was singing, dancing, musical instruments, artwork, talent, happiness, selflessness, love and service that would infiltrate throughout all of the small cities in this small area.

It is the Beaver Christmas Festival.

It all started when Mrs. Betty Carver, a Festival of Trees Board Member, came to the little town of Beaver. She asked if the Young Women would like to share their talents to help the children at the Primary Children’s Hospital. Of course, they did. Many of the girls and family members or friends had been to the Primary Children's Hospital and had been given the help they needed.

1985 Festival Leadership in Beaver

A party was planned and the girls and leaders made ‘Gifts of Love” to be sold at the Festival of Trees at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. They were displayed at their own November party with pride. Christmas songs were sung, treats were enjoyed and a feeling of love entered their hearts. The “Gifts of Love’ were then sent to Salt Lake.

It was so much fun to give of themselves that they wanted to do it again next year. They did. It blossomed and others could see how much joy it brought into their lives. Other churches, clubs and organizations wanted to participate. Soon Young Men were making toys, the Relief Societies and even children of the area wanted to participate. Year after year, it grew as committees, businesses and individuals donated to help with the Festival.

Festival Committee members 1991

1991 Beaver Festival

The whole community comes out to view the donations and to watch the youth sing, dance and
play instruments.

Festival Leadership always drives down from Salt Lake to visit the Beaver Festival

1992

It became a very special tradition.

Wes Robinson and Vicki Hutchings have donated and decorated playhouses over the years.

It all started at a church gym. It became necessary to move it because there were too many displays and too many people. They moved it to the National Guard building for a few years. Soon it became an even bigger festival. It was divided into two areas. A Festival on each side of the county.

The spirit of giving and Christmas fills the air. Tables of beautiful handmade items are displayed. Beautiful Christmas Trees are decorated, some in honor of loved ones who have passed away and some in honor of those who have been treated at Primary Children’s Hospital. Playhouses, Christmas artwork and displays are created. Tons of treats are served and a wonderful program full of singing and dancing and beautiful Christmas music happens. It is truly magical. And it is all sent away to the Festival of Trees! It is all done out of love for the children who need help.

Melissa Kanell (left) has served on the Beaver Festival and been on the
Executive Board for the Festival of Trees.

Every year for 35 years.

This year Festival was held on Nov 6th in Beaver, UT and on Nov. 7 in Minersville, UT.

Here are just some of the items donated to Festival of Trees Utah from Beaver in 2018. Be sure to look for them!