{"id":4583,"date":"2017-11-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prd-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=4583"},"modified":"2023-06-29T21:40:16","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T21:40:16","slug":"5-reasons-to-go-to-festival-of-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/5-reasons-to-go-to-festival-of-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"5 reasons to go to Festival of Trees","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Join us for the 31st annual Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Festival of Trees<\/a>, supporting Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital<\/a>. Festival will kick off on Dec. 1 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s visitors will enjoy a glittering display of more than 30 decorated trees at events during public hours<\/a>. Trees will be auctioned off to benefit Mary Bridge at a black-tie Gala on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why we think you\u2019ll love this year\u2019s Festival:<\/p>\n

1. It\u2019s a fun and festive way to kick off the holiday season.<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to be surrounded by friends, family, beautiful trees and music.<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re taking in the scenery, consider that the entire event wouldn\u2019t be possible without hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and talents to plan, design and decorate the trees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe share a love of bringing delight to people during the holiday season through decorating,\u201d say Shonnessy Gilmore and Kate Corona, two of this year\u2019s tree designers.<\/p>\n

2. You won\u2019t see trees like these anywhere else.<\/h3>\n

Every year, the Mary Bridge Reading Wagon program brings in more than 2,000 donated books to help make life just a little bit better for the children who visit our hospital.<\/p>\n

That generosity is what inspired Lori Tanner, Trixy Dorn and Bud Thompson\u2019s tree this year with the theme of \u201cPlanes, Trains, Automobiles\u2026and Books.\u201d Their 7-foot tree will be decorated to reflect the unique sights of the Pacific Northwest by each mode of transportation, and donations will go toward a new book for every child who visits Mary Bridge.<\/p>\n

Amy McGlinchy, a nurse for Mary Bridge Pediatric Urgent Care in Gig Harbor, has eight years of tree designing for Festival under her belt. At her clinic in Gig Harbor, she sees firsthand how much patients and families enjoy LEGOs \u2014 it\u2019s what inspired her to design a LEGO Seahawks tree this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see the wonder and excitement in the kiddos\u2019 eyes,\u201d McGlinchy says. \u201cLEGOs bring joy to all ages and are a way to connect with patients (kids) and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other themes you\u2019ll experience as you walk through Festival of Trees include a peek into the wizarding world of Harry Potter, a journey to Middle Earth inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien\u2019s \u201cThe Lord of the Rings\u201d and a glimpse into an African safari.<\/p>\n

See all of the themes created by our talented tree designers during Festival\u2019s public hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Festival supports patients at Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/h3>\n

All proceeds from Festival of Trees support children and families who depend on Mary Bridge for lifesaving care, health and healing.<\/p>\n

Since 1987, Festival of Trees has raised more than $31 million for the hospital.<\/p>\n

4. You\u2019ll learn new tips and tricks for your own holiday decorating.<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll get plenty of ideas for your home d\u00e9cor after seeing the twinkling trees on display at Festival. The Festival tree designers are full of tips, and they\u2019re eager to share.<\/p>\n

Designer Sherrie Swanson\u2019s go-to strategy is to make a statement with lights.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s always about a gorgeous, wonderfully decked-out, lit-up tree full of lights and bright ornaments,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the style that inspired her tree\u2019s theme, \u201cThe Velveteen Rabbit.\u201d This will be Swanson\u2019s second year as a designer.<\/p>\n

Our youngest tree designers, high school students Grace Boseley and Maddee Allen, are designing a tree together for the second year. Their tree, \u201cSnow Much Fun,\u201d has a vintage woodland theme.<\/p>\n

\u201cDesigning trees gives you a fun outlet to express yourself,\u201d they explain.<\/p>\n

To get a jump-start on your inspiration before the event, read these tips<\/a> from previous years\u2019 Festival of Trees designers.<\/p>\n

5. You can visit Santa.<\/h3>\n

Bring the kids to meet Santa before he finalizes his shopping lists for 2017. Photos are free, but donations are accepted.<\/p>\n

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Festival of Trees 2017 event schedule<\/h3>\n

Festival of Trees public hours<\/a> are Friday, Dec. 1, from 9am-1pm and Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10:30am-2pm.<\/p>\n

Admission<\/p>\n