A Foothills Christmas tradition has returned, with some changes.
The latest iteration of the Sheep River Health Trust's (SRHT) Avenue of Trees launched over the weekend, once again hosted at Okotoks' Best Western Plus.
All 10 trees were decorated on-site on Saturday (Nov. 16), with the event launched later that day.
Unlike other years, each tree featured in this year's event was sponsored and will be donated to a local family.
For Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn, who attended the launch,
"That, for me is heart-filling. There are families in our community that are going through a hard time, whether it's financially, medically, a variety of different circumstances. Having participated with the Sheep River Health Trust, they hold a dear spot in my heart... The delivery of trees and the impact that it makes on families, I've seen that firsthand. That, for me, is what this is all about, it really is about community."
For the SRHT's executive director, Andrea Mitchell, while the decorating portion of the event is always a highlight, there's one part of the Avenue of Trees that stands out as her favourite.
"I think my favourite part is actually when we wrap the trees and deliver them to families., It's beautiful to see them on display, but when we take them to a family who doesn't have a Christmas tree this year and we plug it in, it makes such a difference in their home and in their lives."
As always, members of the public are invited to vote on their favourite tree either in person or on the Sheep River Health Trust's Facebook page.
The trees will be on display until Dec. 17.