This year’s Festival of Trees theme is “Kaleidoscope,” and the event committee is hoping that the glitz of this year’s festival will wow attendees just like past years.
The Moose Jaw Health Foundation announced a few changes to the event, which will be held on Nov. 16 this year — the most notable of which is a venue change.
Taking place at the Moose Jaw Ford Curling Centre at Mosaic Place, this year’s Festival is poised to be bigger and more dazzling due to the extra space.
“Being able to have it here means that we can go bigger and better, with the decorating, with the trees, with everything,” said Jackie d’Entremont, chair of the Festival of Trees committee.
Because of the new venue, the event will feature a plated supper created by Saskatoon celebrity chef Dale MacKay, winner of Top Chef Canada in 2011.
The layout of the tables will be familiar, but the new space will allow the event to be bigger and more elaborate than in past years.
“We always like it to be an experience, from the time that you walk in the front door until you get to the banquet area,” said d’Entremont.
The price for the event has also been lowered to $150, to hopefully bring more attendees into the fold. Tickets are going to be available online this year as well, beginning in September.
Alongside the beautiful displays, there will be a silent auction that will have a new twist. Operated through an app, the silent auction will feature photos of the items and an alert system to let bidders know they’ve been outbid, immediately.
“I think it's going to bring more excitement to not only the live auction but the silent auction as well,” said d’Entremont. “We will have online bidding, where even if you're not here that evening, you will be able to vote on silent auction items.”
The brunch and the Sundae with Santa events will be held at Mosaic Place in the Curling Centre as well, and d’Entremont is pleased to see that the larger venue will be able to accommodate more kids for the usually sold out event.
“Hopefully the atmosphere will be different than in the past,” said d’Entremont. “We just want the excitement there for everyone.”
