My Festival Story-- "My Nephew, Courageous Collin" by Mallory Urquhart

Our family and I do a tree each year in memory of my nephew, Collin Halling. 

In 2014, at my sister's anatomy scan at 18 weeks, they discovered they would be having another boy. They also found out that sweet Collin had not one but four heart defects. The most serious defect being Transposition of the Great Arteries or TGA. Thankfully we were aware of the heart defects before his birth, and were able to prepare for his arrival. He was born at University of Utah Hospital and immediately transferred over to Primary Children's Hospital. 

Collin's birth was a miracle. He arrived plump and pink and STRONG! He spent his first days at Primary Childrens before undergoing his first open heart surgery at just one week old. He did so well that he was sent home about a week later to be loved on by all of his family, especially his Mom, Dad, and big brother Emerson. 

Collin was strong, beautiful, content, peaceful and loved by so many. Sadly, at just 6 weeks old Collin passed away unexpectedly.

Sept. 30, 2014 ~ Nov. 13, 2014

A few weeks after Collin passed away our family attended the Festival Of Trees for the first time and we were so touched and overwhelmed with the Festival we knew we needed to be a part of it.

 In 2015, my little family (kids and husband) surprised my sister and her husband with a tree for Collin called "Courageous Collin"! No one knew we were doing a tree and it was the best gift we could ever give to my sister and her family!!

Since then it has grown into our family's favorite event of the year. Below is our tree from 2016 called Christmas for Collin. 

Our fun at Festival of Trees has spread to include so much of our family; Collin's parents and siblings, cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, even Great Grandparents, and friends from all over the country all participate in this event in his memory. We did a big display last year (2017) called Collin's Christmas. It featured three trees, one of which had a moving Santa that was helping decorate the tree. 

Not only do we donate a tree, but we love being a part of different aspects of the Festival as well. We have been hosts on Auction Night, helped wrap and deliver trees, sold tickets and held craft nights to make gifts for the Gift Shoppe. 

We are SO thankful for the Festival and what it does for Primary Children's Hospital.  We are even more thankful for Primary Children's Hospital for what they've done for our Nephew and many other families and we we are forever thankful for Festival of Trees, where we can remember, honor, and share Collin with others. 

Cole -- Our Festival of Trees 2018 Poster Child

The Festival of Trees Executive Board is thrilled to announce their 2018 Festival Poster Child-- Cole. We look forward to seeing his darling face on billboards, print ads and social media representing Festival of Trees.

Meet Cole

Cole was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, hydrocephalus and Kyphosis in-utero at his 20-week ultrasound.  He first visited Primary Children's Hospital as a preemie/newborn and had his first surgery there at three months old to fix a hernia he was born with.

Cole has had a few surgeries at Primary Children's Hospital including a hernia surgery and was also there a few months ago to have his tonsils and adenoids removed.  Cole comes to the Spina Bifida Clinic on a regular basis.  

Cole and his parents really appreciate the clinic because they can see all his specialists at one time in a four-hour window.  As Cole gets older he will have in-depth checkups once a year, unless something comes up that needs to be addressed.  Specialists are always checking to make sure there isn't too much pressure in his head or that his tethered spinal cord with scar tissue doesn't grow into the spinal cord and cause damage.  They also help with braces for his legs and feet and then monitor kyphosis that could cause breathing problems in the future.  Cole goes to PCH every three to four months to have his bladder checked.

Cole LOVES the security guards at the hospital and his favorite doctor is Dr. Jim Gottlieb.  Cole loves Dr. Gottlieb because he lets Cole pretend to be the doctor.  

Cole and Dr Gottlieb

Cole loves to be outside playing.  His favorite activities are football, basketball, baseball, horseback riding and skiing.  He loves Legos, action figures and superheroes.

Cole and his "Bumbo Wheelchair"  made by his Father to help Cole become more active & independent

Cole is working on being able to physically keep up with this friends.  Cole's mom says, "Cole is a fun-loving kid.  He loves Santa and finds all kinds of Santa's wherever he goes.  He loves to ski.  When he is skiing, he is always trying to get his helper to go faster or to do tricks and jumps." 

Cole and his ski helper cruising down the ski hill

Please enjoy a wonderful video where Cole was featured on Studio 5 a couple of years ago.  Cole's Bumbo Wheelchair

My Festival Story "Embrace Life Emma" by Jaclyn Tapia

My Festival of Trees Journey began when I was a little girl. I remember my parents going to Opening Night and we were so excited for them to come home and tell us all about the tree that they bought or to tell us if our tree that we made and donated sold. Our parents would buy a tree one year and then we would donate a tree the next year. I remember walking up and down the isles of beautiful trees, wreaths, blankets and of course the gingerbread houses. As I got older I started to read the stories behind them all and my love for the Festival grew even more. I can't remember a year that I haven't attended the Festival of Trees. As our family got older and started and having families of our own we decided to stop exchanging gifts between us (besides the little ones) and instead take that money and put it into a tree. So we did....The first year we did a theme that was near and dear to our hearts as a family. Growing up we spent a lot of time at Bear Lake (and still do) so we decided to start with that theme to kick off this new tradition. Here is that tree......

We all decided we wanted to keep this tradition and continue to do a tree instead of exchanging gifts. We also loved what it taught our children and now they are just as excited for the Festival and decorating day as we are. The next year we decided to chose a child that we knew and dedicate the tree to them and make the theme around what they love. So we started with a family friend named Teagan, Teagan has HLHS. He has been through so much he is a true super hero, and ironically enough that is just what he wanted the tree to be about so we delivered......he even got a ninja turtle popping up from the sewer!!!! See pics.....

Our hearts are just so full after we make these trees it is so hard to leave them once you set them up. But it's so fun to see it set up knowing you are giving back and we managed to put a smile on many faces including Teagan's. We all decided let's do it again, so we all had a goal of finding a person to honor for the tree and bring it to our next meeting about the tree. Well.... between the time this Festival of Trees ended and the new one began we found a family, but not the family we were expecting. In March of 2015, a beautiful little girl named Emma was born and made this family feel complete. Mom, Dad, big sister Ava (who was four) and now Emma. Four days later Emma started to have seizures. She was rushed to Primary Children's Hospital where 24 hours later she was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder called Lissencephaly meaning smooth brain, 1 in 100,000 live births. Her parents were devastated and wondered how could this be? Her big sister as amazing as can be just holding her and singing to her. At that moment we felt everything would be ok.....yes I said WE...... because Emma is my daughter. Here are some pictures of Emma at 4 days old being admitted to Primary Children's after having 30 seizures that day, her big sister showing her love and how proud she is to be Emma's sister, lastly it shows how amazing PCMC really is by supporting not only the patient but the family.

In 2015, we decided our tree needed to be dedicated to Emma. Never ever did I think a tree at the Festival would be for my child. Will my child really be in a frame next to a tree with her story on the back? It's a hard pill to swallow but man are we so grateful for Primary Children's. Emma deserves to be honored because she is a true fighter. Her life expectancy is unknown, so everyday is a blessing. The first tree we chose for her was nursery rhymes. Here is that tree...

Emma is our little sunshine of life so of course 2016 her tree was "You Are My Sunshine". This was a daring move as you don't see a lot of trees at Christmas time that are yellow. But in my heart I knew this was the theme that was best to honor Emma for that year. So we went for it turned out perfectly. 

Picking a theme for your tree is so hard especially when your child is non-verbal. So we try to do our best to do a theme that best honors her. Last year a poem I have always been a fan of called "Welcome to Holland" really stuck out in my mind and we really wanted to figure out how to make it work. I am blessed to have a friend who actually lives there so an idea struck my mind but how were we actually going to pull this off. But, we did!  My friend sent us tons of stuff right from Holland and it was beautiful. This tree was going to be even more risky than the previous years tree but it was going to mean so much to us as a family and a beautiful representation of Emma and our journey with her. Here is the poem it will help you to better understand each part of the tree........

I can't thank the Festival of Trees and all the people who come and donate to such a great cause. From the staff, drs, nurses, to the Child Life support and the care that Emma has received while there it's all been amazing. They not only care for the child at Primary Children's but the whole family. As shared in a picture above the Child Life specialists really made Ava feel comfortable even though Emma had all those tubes and wires. It made explaining such a complex thing to a four year old a little easier. To this day Ava is very involved with Emma and loves to help care for her. She is not scared and I attribute that to the Child Life care from Primary Children's. So thank you and thanks to the Festival for giving us a way to share about Emma and her Journey. Emma is now three years old and we are preparing for her 4th tree at Festival of Trees.

Emma's blog: http://embracelifeemma.blogspot.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Embracelifeemma/

Instagram: embrace_life_emma

“My Festival Story” by Shauna Davis -- Festival of Trees Chair Woman

Shauna Davis 2018 Festival of Trees Chair Woman

 

On December 4^th, 1975 my sister was run over by a truck in a cross walk.  She was rushed to Primary Children’s Hospital where expert doctors and staff were able to save her leg.  She had to lay in traction for several weeks to get her leg to heal and because of the traction, she wasn’t able to even leave her room.  At the hospital, Santa would visit her every day and ask her what she wanted for Christmas.  Every day, she would tell Santa that she just wanted to go home for Christmas. Her Christmas wish came true. On Christmas Eve, her Doctor stayed late and put my sister in a full body cast so she could be transported.  She couldn’t fit in any car, so my Grandfather asked Midvale City Ambulance to transport her home to us on Christmas Eve. It was our Christmas miracle and we were able to be together on Christmas.  

Shauna & Sister

The next year, at the age of 11, our family went to the Festival of Trees.  I was drawn to the beautiful trees, the service rendered and most of all the love.  I told my Mom I wanted to be a part of this!  I wanted to spend all of my money and time helping with Festival of Trees. I knew I wanted to help because of the amazing care that my sister had received from Primary Children’s Hospital.  

In 1984, my future Mother-in-law was the Chairwoman over Festival. Of course, I had to help because I was dating her cute son.  That’s when I decorated my first tree.  I’ve always loved saying that  “I married Festival of Trees”.  My first tree wasn’t the most elaborate tree but my heart was in it and I’ve definitely learned over the years how to decorate a tree!  I went on a committee at the age of 17 and served on Fran Fishes’ committee for several years.  After officially marrying into Festival, we moved out of the state for a few years and I sent items back to Festival.  

Shauna (far right) next to her Mother-in-law Festival Chairwoman, Thelma Davis

Eventually I moved back to Utah, where I served on Lois Peterson’s committee.  I started serving on the Executive Board in 2009.  I have served one year in Centerpieces, three years in Gingerbread and six years in Leadership.

One of the most touching things I have witnessed, is children coming into the board room with their hard earned nickels and pennies.  It’s touching to watch children recognize and know that they want to help.

Serving in leadership, I’ve seen “Festival Miracles” time and time again. I truly know that we have more help than the hands on this earth to be able to pull off such a miraculous event. 

Answer to Facebook and Instagram Question - Friends of Festival and Auction Night information.

Opening Night (or Auction Night) at Festival of Trees is a semi-formal occasion when trees, gingerbread creations, quilts, wreaths, and playhouses are sold to the highest bidder through silent auction. Hosts facilitate the auction and ensure that the process is conducted in a welcoming, professional and fair manner.

This year, the bidding process will be conducted through an online system called "Gesture".  Bidding begins at 5:00 pm and concludes at 8:00 pm.  Bidding closes on aisle A-H at 7:30 pm and bidding closes on aisle I-Q including gingerbread at 8:00 pm.  Guests will be informed via text before a section closes.

After the auction items are sold, a SOLD sign is placed next to the tree listing the name of the item, the decorator, the donor and the buyer.  Over the year, many buyers have asked to remain anonymous. Friends of Festival" are buyers who would prefer to remain anonymous.

Register HERE to be an Auction Host. 

Read HERE for Auction Host Training.

Click HERE to buy tickets to Opening Night  - $20 per person (No babies or children under the age of 16 will be admitted to Opening Night).

Answer to Facebook and Instagram Question - #3 Trees are delivered by volunteers and truck drivers

The Festival of Trees is always scheduled on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.  This year that falls on Wednesday, November 29th.  This way we have plenty of time to get into the Christmas Spirit. 

Perhaps the greatest phenomenon of all is that everything is donated. The trees are decorated and purchased by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and church groups. In addition, others generously donate items to fill the shops. Businesses provide the paper and printing of posters and tickets. Corporations offer their covered trucks and drivers to help deliver the trees, and so much more! Thousands of people contribute countless hours and means to give “A Gift of Love" to children. Every penny earned goes to help children at Primary Children's Hospital.

Visitors to Festival enjoy a variety of tasteful entertainment featured in the lobby and on two performance stages in the exhibit hall.  The performers range from pianists, vocalists, dancing groups, ukulele bands, bagpipe players to tap dancers & cheerleaders.  Festival goers can enjoy continuous entertainment on two stages while sitting in comfortable chairs.

TREE DELIVERY is the one of the most amazing parts of Festival.  After Festival closes on Saturday night, volunteers wrap and box up all of the Christmas Trees and Wreaths.  Large, donated trucks and truck drivers line up on Sunday morning and along with the volunteers, they (the volunteers and truck drivers) deliver the trees.  

Volunteers show up late Saturday night to wrap up trees and box up everything that goes with the tree.

Lots of muscle and ingenuity is involved with tree delivery!

An aweseome truck driver found a good use for the leftover shrink wrap!

Tired but happy volunteers on Sunday afternoon after a successful day of delivering trees.

Most every tree is set up exactly like it is set up at Festival. 

Volunteers have pictures and carefully place every item exactly where it was.  

This display was set up in a local office building.

Answer to Facebook and Instagram Question - Cinnamon Rolls & Scones

The smell of delicious, fresh, warm scones and sweet rolls drift through the trees for four days at Festival.  

In 1986, Sharon Goodrich started cooking scones in electric frying pans.  Today, the Scone and Sweet Roll Department has four professional fryers to cook the scones and two ovens to cook the sweet rolls. 

Every year, Festival sells 12,000 Sweet Rolls and 19,000 Scones. Adults and children alike, enjoy the sugar and cinnamon scones and the frosted cinnamon rolls with sticky, happy faces.  

Known as "THE LOADED SCONE"

Board Members who serve in the Scone and Sweet Roll Department

Volunteers work tirelessly to provide these fresh baked, right-out-of-the-oven and fryer goodies.  They are a necessity to keep up your strength to visit each and every tree!

A big thank you to Rhodes Bake-N-Serve for donating the cinnamon rolls and to Terrel's Country Bakery Scone and Rolls for donating the scone dough.  

Answer to Facebook and Instagram Question - Thank you Salt Lake Scots!

The sound of the bagpipe catches you. The bagpipe's unique harmonics stir emotions.  The interplay between the melody notes sounding against the steady tones of the drone creates an effect that is the defining characteristic of a bagpipe.  It's mesmerizing to watch and to listen to someone play such an enchanting musical instrument.

On Saturday night, one of Festival's finest and most humble traditions, is to have our very own Salt Lake Scots lead the Board Members of Festival of Trees in a march down the aisles of the trees. There's not a dry eye in the Expo and goosebumps are felt by everyone.  This triumphant march feels like the greatest "thank you" to these ladies for the hard work and dedication they've put forth over the last year.  The "March" starts at the north end of the Expo Center and ends on the South Stage.  The Scots lead the way followed by 80 fantastic women following behind arm-in-arm.  There the Leadership of Festival and the Executive Board take their finals bows while family and friends cheer them on. 

You can watch a short clip of this parade HERE.

The Salt Lake Scots have also entertained the crowds at Festival.  You can watch them HERE and HERE.