Festival of Trees Brings ‘Snow Day’, Talent to Salt Lake Valley

By Jennifer Staley

Upon entering the South Towne Exposition Center, smells of hot, buttery, scones and cinnamon invade the senses. Groups scheduled to perform warm up their voices, serenading their audiences and bringing the otherwise lit chaos to a more manageable level. The entire floor is covered with brilliantly lit trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and collectables.

According to the Festival of Trees official website, (www.festivaloftreesutah.org), “For the past 39 years, the Festival of Trees has been a ‘Gift of Love’ to children at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Each year, the festival is organized by a volunteer board of 84 women, who enlist time, talent, and donations of groups, organizations, and families across Utah.”

Performers come from across all of Utah to share Christmas joy and cheer. On the opening day of the Festival, two groups performed. The first was called Voices, a group of women from Riverton. The second group, called Starstruck, was made up of mentally handicapped children from Clayton Productions.

Julia Pehrson, director of Star Struck said, “These children love performing and having the chance to bring the Christmas spirit to others.”

RHS has also contributed to the Festival of Trees. The Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America [FCCLA] has donated a tree to the Festival every year since the school’s opening. Last year’s tree stood only four and a half feet tall, but this year’s was nearly three feet taller.

“This years theme was ‘Snow Day’ and the kids had a lot of fun decorating and preparing the tree,” said FCCLA’s adviser Linda Stokes.

Along with Riverton High, Bingham High, Jordan High as well as most of the schools in the district donated trees to the Festival.

Trees ranged from Star Wars themed to Latter Day Saint Temple themed, and most trees came with toys, other decorations and/or pictures of those who have passed. Families donated, as well as companies. The Festival of Trees was a huge benefit to the children at Primary Children’s Hospital.