The Moose Jaw Health Foundation has announced that the date for this year's Festival of Trees will be Saturday, Oct. 21, a month earlier than usual, in support of 2023's goal to raise funds for specialized breast cancer treatment equipment at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
"There is no event quite like Festival of Trees, and no charitable event has enhanced health care for generations more than the Festival of Trees," said Ryan Hrechka, chairperson of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF) board, during the July 10 media announcement at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
"Over 31 years, thousands of people have been saved and helped by our doctors and health care professionals in Moose Jaw, and over those years our community has raised nearly $5 million through Festival of Trees."
The theme of Festival of Trees is 'Home for the Holidays,' and even more changes have been made aside from the date.
"The first change is that (the Festival of Trees) is moving to Saturday, Oct. 21," said Kim Waldo, chair of the Festival of Trees committee. "October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it is fitting that the foundation will be raising funds for a new (Philips Breast Cancer MRI Coil for Breast Cancer Detection and a Lymphatic Navigator for Breast Cancer Surgery).
"We want more people to come to Festival this year, so we are lowering the price of the tickets from $175 per person to $125 per person. ... The festival auction is evolving to meet the needs and lifestyle of festival guests. This year, the festival live auction will be shorter and more interactive. ... Festival guests will also be able to preview auction items on their phone and bid on silent auction items through their mobile device."
Waldo said that the Festival of Trees committee had been listening closely to community feedback from guests and volunteers in order to determine what changes should be made this year. Another difference she was excited about is that the festival committee will work to source this year's meal as locally as possible.
"The festival team are looking forward to working with many local suppliers to create a meal that highlights Moose Jaw's culinary gems," she said.
As usual, dancing will follow the auction portion of the gala, with music this year provided by local rockers The Uncoolas.
The Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital Auxiliary will once again host the Festival of Trees Sunday Family Brunch the morning after the festival.
Lastly, this year's emcees will be a father/daughter team: Camron Howe is a board member of the MJHF, and his daughter Dr. Caitlyn Howe works at the hospital.
Dr. Howe said she was happy to be part of the announcement and praised the work of the foundation in supporting the hospital. She noted that everyone in the community benefits from having a regional hospital that is "second to none," and called the Philips Breast Cancer MRI Coil a "game-changer."
Tickets for the Festival of Trees will go on sale on Sasktix.ca in mid-August, but those wishing to book full tables can contact MJHF executive director Kelly McElree without delay at 306-694-0255 and by email at kmcelree@fhhr.ca.
