Utah’s Festival of Trees returns to an in-person event

SANDY, Utah — The Festival of Trees will be returning as an in-person event to benefit medical care for kids at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital for the first time since 2019.

A more than 50-year-old Utah tradition, the Festival of Trees features tons of extravagant trees, wreaths, hand-made gingerbread houses, and more up for silent auction.

All funds raised from the Christmas products will support patients at Primary Children’s hospital.

The event will be held at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah Nov. 30 – Dec. 3.

“We are thrilled to experience the magic of the giving season in person with our community as they support our Primary Promise to patients and families throughout Utah and the Intermountain West,” Katy Welkie, chief executive officer of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health said.  “The needs of the children in our growing communities are great, and Primary Promise is an innovative, extensive, once-in-a-generation way to address them. It has been heartening to see continued community support during our past two virtual Festival of Trees events, and we look forward to welcoming our generous community once again to this beloved event to help children in need, and to help us keep The Child First and Always in all that we do.”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been hosted virtually since 2019.

This holiday season, the Festival of Trees will return to in-person event complete with the classic Festival of Trees fudge, visits with Santa Claus, scones, wreaths, and of course, trees.

Festival of Trees helps patients like Brailey Partida, who was severely injured in an accident that resulted in the loss of her lower right leg. Her recovery was lengthy and difficult, including months in the hospital.

With the help of Primary Children’s Hospital experts in trauma, surgery, nursing, rehab, and music therapy, Brailey is an active 11-year-old today who loves science, playing soccer, basketball, Fortnite and Minecraft, and running around with her dog Appa. She’s started her own slime business, and wants to grow up and become a surgeon.

“Primary Children’s saved my daughter,” Brailey’s mother, Teri Partida said. “They helped her get better. If it wasn’t for them, she probably wouldn’t be here.”

Festival of Trees volunteers have donated nearly 500 beautifully decorated, themed large and small trees, about 120 wreaths, and dozens of quilts, playhouses, gingerbread houses, nativities, centerpieces, and collectibles.

Items and gifts are available for bid at the silent auction online which runs Nov. 28-30 at FestivalofTreesUtah.org

“The Festival of Trees is special to us because of the care my daughter received. It has a special place in our hearts,” Brailey’s dad, Jacob Partida said. “Thank you to the volunteers for all your hard work, your generosity, your dedication, and your kind heart to donate your work and your time for such a good cause.”

Tickets can be purchased here.