New Virtual Experience for Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees
The University Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees is happening a little different this year with the entire experience online.
This would have been the Festival of Tree’s 36th anniversary, however due to the current situation they’ve had to cancel the largest annual fundraiser for the University Hospital Foundation, which raised $1.87 million last year for osseointegration.
Every year the festival raises funds for different causes that the University of Alberta Hospital is in need of. In the past they have raised money for Canada’s first stroke ambulance, state-of-the-art gamma knife, and an advanced CT scanner. This year’s proceeds will support groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research at the University of Alberta.
A Virtual Experience
Earlier this season they had an online auction which closed on November 29th, as well as their popular Festival in a Box which is completely sold-out — an applause for that feat! The Festival in a Box consisted of an adult version containing hand-crafted charcuterie, and a kids version with activities and treats.
Along with the online store, three virtual experiences remain for this year’s Festival of Trees campaign – a 50/50 draw, Santa Time, and Story Time with Mrs. Claus.
50/50 Draw
The 50/50 draw has a minimum grand prize of $200,000! If the total jackpot goes above $400,000, the winner will take half the amount.
In addition, the 50/50 has three early-bird prizes where those who purchase tickets buy December 3rd, December 10th, and December 17th will have a chance of winning an additional cash prize of $250, $500, and $750 respectively.
Tickets are one for $20, $10 for $50, and $50 for $100. The final deadline to enter is at 11:59 p.m. on December 23rd with the draw happening on December 30, 2020. But hurry, as the sales close when the jackpot hits $1 million!
Purchase 50/50 tickets here.
Santa Time and Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Santa time and Story Time with Mrs. Claus is the perfect virtual experience for the little ones as you get to stay warm at home while seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus! It runs now until December 20.
Receive a special Yegventures discount of 20%-off using the discount code @yegventures20%OFF when you make a booking for Santa Time or Story Time with Mrs. Claus!
Choose from a live one-on-one interactive session with Santa (sold-out), a group video call with Santa, or 4 different stories read by Mrs. Claus. Participants on these calls (except the one-on-ones with Santa) will not be seen by others as it is a one-way stream.
The group call with Santa has various times available and costs $15.
Story Time with Mrs. Claus, also $15, are also broadcast at specific show times. Stories include The Night Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Olaf and the Princess: A Frozen Story, and Pete the Cat Saves Christmas.
Book your time with Santa and Mrs. Claus here.
Here’s a clip of Mrs. Claus reading How A Grinch Stole Christmas.
Online Store
If you’re still in need of a Christmas tree, there is a selection of Christmas trees decorated by the expert designers found at the Festival of Trees! All seven remaining tree designs have low stock available, so be sure to order it as soon as possible.
Find a Christmas tree here.
The store also has Hillberg & Berk Limited Edition 10mm Sugar Plum Sparkle Earrings which will look incredible under the tree for a special loved-one.
This special set of earrings is found here.
Make a Donation
If none of this year’s virtual experience of interest to you, but you would still like to give to the University Hospital Foundation in support of this year’s cause of Alzheimer’s research, make a donation on the Festival of Trees website here.
Notice: The annual Festival of Trees is 100% volunteer-run, with the exception of the 2020 online-only campaign, which is being organized by the University Hospital Foundation. Yegventures founder Lincoln Ho has been a volunteer with the Festival of Trees for the past 5 years as a cause he deeply supports. This post is not sponsored by the Festival or Trees, University Hospital Foundation, nor the University of Alberta Hospital.
