(Photo provided by Red Deer Regional Health Foundation)
The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation (RDRHF) is kicking off the holiday season with the 31st annual Festival of Trees.
The festival features trees that are available for auction, crafts and games in Candy Cane Lane, a silent auction and raffle draws, and a Gift and Sweet Shop featuring items made by local artisans.
“It has a little a little bit for everyone. The public can come and view some amazing trees that are up for auction as well as a whole bunch of other silent auction items,” said Manon Therriault, CEO of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.
A traditional event at the festival, Mistletoe Magic, is back this year this a special theme.
"It’s been running forever, we're taking a bit of a spin and doing a Taylor Swift theme,” Therriault said. “We're really excited about that.”
The funds raised from the festival are allocated to support the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and hospitals in the Central Zone.
“Cardiology is a priority for the foundation right now, we’ve taken on a significant project that will handle the way hospitals handle heart attacks in Central Alberta,” Therriault said.
As part of the expansion, the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre is opening two new Cardiac Catheterization Labs (Cath Lab) in 2031.
“Locally, we don't think that's doing enough. Our partners have found a way to bring that service five years in advance but in order for that to happen, we need our community's help,” Therriault said.
The Cath Labs could help save approximately 160 lives.
“It's very important that we get this done,” Therriault said.
The festival will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 at Westerner Park.
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