This year feels like a lot of new beginnings.

Many of us have ventured back out into the world travelling. Even travelling to the grocery store isn’t met with the anxiety and questions of the last two years. Faces have peeked out behind masks and friends have gathered. They tell us we aren’t out of the woods yet, but with common sense precautions and the miracle of vaccines we feel like it is time to celebrate again.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s Festival of Trees is just such a celebration. For many, the “Festival” heralds the holiday season and all the magic of community and family. The Festival of Trees is the single largest fundraising event for the Hospital Auxiliary. It harnesses the time and energies of hundreds of volunteers and generous donors. This year we raise funds to buy essential equipment for Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital that is needed now.

We are thankful for Isaiah Tubbs Resort who will once again opens its doors to this family friendly and free event. There is a lot to do at the Festival of Trees. We expect to have over 200 trees decorated by local individuals, retailers, restaurants, and companies for you to admire and bid on. Santa will be present and we encourage the children to have their photo taken with him. Local musicians will entertain us once again throughout the Festival of Trees. You can buy a ticket and take a chance on the “bucket draw”, with so many different and fun items to choose from.

If you are interested in submitting a donation into the Festival, or volunteering with us, visit pecfestivaloftrees.ca for more information.

A few changes this year include two “off site” highlights.

The Perfectly Preserved team will have their baking and preserves for sale by pre order along with a few yummy extras. The Perfectly Preserved Sale is open November 26 and 27, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the back parking lot of the PECM Hospital. Visit our website at pecfestivaloftrees.ca for an order form.

As well, the much anticipated Christmas Boutique will be at the Second Time Around Store on Main Street in Picton (next to Tim Hortons). Gently or never used housewares, decorations, toys, and clothing are kept aside all year and unveiled at this sale. The Second Time Around Store’s Christmas Boutique is open November 26, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and November 27, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The weekend is bookended by the Bloomfield and Picton Santa Claus parades so there are festive things happening everywhere! Plan a road trip to include all of these must-see celebrations!

The Festival of Trees is open November 25 and 26, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and November 27, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Isaiah Tubbs Resort in West Lake (1642 County Road 12, Picton).

Santa is available for photos Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m.

This year, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is raising over $1 M for medical equipment needed across our region. The Auxiliary’s goal for the Festival of Trees is to purchase three vital signs monitor mounts and a Trophon, which is used to disinfect ultrasound probes. This equipment is needed at PECM Hospital now and will cost close to $40,000 to purchase these items.

We hope to see you all in person this year, and hope you will consider helping us to purchase this equipment by visiting the Festival. Come look, bid, and bid again! 

For more information on the PECMH Auxiliary, visit our website at www.pecmhaux.ca or call 613-476-1008 ext. 4427 and leave a message. Visit www.pecfestivaloftrees.ca for all the details regarding this year’s Festival of Trees.