The Moose Jaw Health Foundation wrapped up its 33rd annual Festival of Trees over the weekend, transforming the Moose Jaw Events Centre Curling Rink into Saskatchewan’s ‘largest speakeasy’ to raise a total of $184,832 through ticket sales, sponsorships, and live and silent auctions.
All the money raised will go to equipment upgrades at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital. This year’s goal is bringing advanced bronchoscopy scopes for use in helping patients with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other airway conditions.
The emcees were Dr. Nishaan Cheddie and Dr. Chun Huang, both surgeons at the Wigmore. Local vocalist Stella Salido performed classic ‘20s hits from the stage during the evening’s cocktail hour, receiving a hearty round of applause once she’d finished her set.
“The Moose Jaw Health Foundation is fortunate to have the absolute best volunteers in the world, right here in Moose Jaw,” said Kelly McElree, executive director of the Health Foundation (MJHF).
“The ‘Roaring ‘20s’ theme is an idea from Kim Waldo, who’s the volunteer chair of the Festival of Trees, and her amazing team of volunteers. ... And, you know, once we said it was Roaring ‘20s, well, Moose Jaw loves this, and we had so many people volunteer to help out.”
The crowd at the 2024 Festival of Trees was mostly in costume as ‘flappers’ and ‘gangsters’, and the Events Centre Curling Rink was at its most-transformed, creating an old-school speakeasy-style, art deco ambience. The MJHF team had help from The Tunnels of Moose Jaw in researching and decorating for the occasion, and Tunnels staff (in character as old-school bouncers, cigarette girls, and more) helped usher in guests.
“People are dressing to the theme, they’re having lots of fun and it’s so good to see,” McElree added.
"The Festival of Trees committee works all year round and they planned the theme. They contacted the Tunnels of Moose Jaw very early on and I sat down and had meetings with them and we talked about slang and what things would be appropriate for decorations,” explained Kelly Carty with the Tunnels.
“We did give them inspiration, like peacock feathers were really big back then, silver and gold. I went over what a speakeasy would look like in the 1920s, and they just ran with it and did a fantastic job.”
Carty conducted the live auction portion of the evening alongside auctioneer Scott Johnstone. She began by confessing she’d never ever been to a live auction before, but quickly started enjoying herself and bantering with Johnstone. Kelvin Bradford was the hype man and auction spotter as always, bringing enthusiastic whoops and excitement for each item.
“Stella Salido is singing for us right now, as people are walking around, we’ve got a buffet of Italian-inspired fare, and then we will have a bit of a performance (by Dance Images) before our auction,” Kim Waldo said. “Then, of course, the regular auction, and dance to follow, with our band Mascara.
“I’m happy to bring a fresh set of eyes to the event and some new inspiration, and of course I couldn’t do any of it without my team. This is an exciting night!”
Major buys included JGL sponsoring the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital Lobby Christmas Tree, with Jeff Jameson also purchasing the Who-liday Surprise display donated by Cindy McCready, Amie Jameson, Kathy Woods, Pam Grado and Karen Bookout for $12,500.
The Splash of Colour quilt, made in tribute to Wendy Findlay from the Prairie Heart Quilter's Guild, was purchased by Dr. Thorpe and then donated back into the auction. It was then purchased by Wendy Findlay's daughter: Together, they raised $7,150.
The Speakeasy Spirits display from Northstar Concrete was purchased by Bob Nelson Construction for $14,000.
Regina-based pop rock band Mascara, with lead singer Melissa Mannett, provided music for the dance after the live auction.