Registration for 2022 Festival of Trees is now open. The Festival of Trees, hosted by the Mid-Columbia Health Foundation, will take place at The Dalles Civic Auditorium on Friday, December 2, 2022. “We’re so excited that the festival will be live & in-person, something that hasn’t happened since 2019,” said Health Foundation Executive Director, Amanda Evans.

What is the Festival of Trees? It is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Health Foundation, which takes place on the first Friday in December each year at The Dalles Civic Auditorium. Decorated trees are auctioned off at a live auction and gala. On Saturday, December 3^rd the community is welcome to an open house, where they can view all the trees and vote on the People’s Choice Award before they go to their forever homes.

“People are really excited, and ready to get out,” said Evans adding “the Festival of Trees seems to be the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season in The Dalles. We have had an incredible response to the announcement that we would be gathering in-person once again. We consider it a privilege to host this event and hope for a great turn-out.” The Health Foundation acknowledges and thanks their sponsors, without whom this event could not happen: First Interstate Bank, Human Investing, Columbia Bank, Columbia Gorge Toyota & Honda, Westby Associates, Inc., and Dean Dollarhide – State Farm Insurance.

For those donating decorated trees for the auction, the fun starts on Wednesday, November 30^th when decorators get together and prepare their trees. “We often see families, businesses, services clubs and even groups of friends come out and decorate trees for the auction,” said Evans. Back again this year is a festival favorite, Wasco County Renegades 4-H group who will be donating a Dr. Seuss themed tree created by the 4-H group members!

The Friday evening auction and gala portion of the Festival of Trees is a 21 and over event however, all ages are welcome to the Community Open House the following morning – Saturday, December 3^rd, 9am to 12pm. “We want the entire community to have a chance to see what our tree decorators have worked so hard to create” stated Evans.

Auction tickets are $20 per person, which contributes to the event total. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online or at the door the night of the event. Proceeds from this year’s event benefit our nursing scholarship funds and patient assistance funds including the Celilo Cancer Center fund, helping patients in their wellness journey with items like gas cards, wigs, prescription, medical equipment of home use and much more. Our nursing scholarships help defray the cost of nursing school for local students.

To donate a tree for this event, to purchase tickets or for more information, visit us at  www.mcmc.net/fot or call 541-296-7275.