Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees returns for 40th Anniversary November 26- December 2

Many fundraising special events are fleeting, but the Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees stands as a decades-old anomaly and testament to enduring Treasure Valley tradition. The event will celebrate its 40th anniversary and ruby year from November 26-December 2, ringing in the season with a full holiday experience.

The event includes a now-sold-out Festival Gala, five-day general exhibition, and a Fashion Show Luncheon, which in total are expected to see tens of thousands of attendees and volunteers from across the community and beyond.

“The Festival of Trees is a truly magical event ingrained in the fabric of the Treasure Valley’s holiday season,” said Jill Aldape, Vice President of Philanthropy at Saint Alphonsus Health System. “After 40 years, we feel honored that the community begins their holiday season with us – from generations of Festival goers to new families attending for the first time.”
Aldape has been part of the magic behind the Festival of Trees for more than 25 years of its history.

“This event is a beautiful example of the generosity of our community – from our thousands of volunteers who come back year after year to our sponsors who bring the magic to life, Aldape said. “We feel humbled by how the Treasure Valley community continues to make the Festival a part of their holiday tradition.”

At the event’s general exhibition, attendees of all ages can expect to wander through nearly 100 trees, more than 300 wreaths, and countless inspiring holiday decorations. Families will enjoy the North Pole Village with Santa visits, a children's scavenger hunt, art contest, gift shop, and live performances of music and dancing.

Along with the holiday magic, giving is a central mission of the Festival. Each year, a deserving beneficiary is selected to receive all net proceeds from the event, and for the second year in a row, the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute will be the recipient.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the state, and the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute is a leading program in the fight against cancer in Idaho and Eastern Oregon.
“Our committed team of oncologists and surgeons promote preventative care, early detection screening, and lifesaving cancer treatment,” said David McFadyen, President and CEO, Saint Alphonsus Health System. “We are proud to provide the highest quality of care to fight all types of cancer, treating it at the earliest stage, including with the latest in state-of-the-art screening for lung cancer.”

Earlier this year, Saint Alphonsus became the first hospital in the state to use Intuitive’s next-generation robotic system known as the Ion Bronchoscopy, which aids in earlier detection of lung cancer.
With November marking Lung Cancer Awareness Month, screenings and awareness are a critical part of the Festival mission. Learn more about the Festival of Trees 40th Anniversary by visiting SaintAlphonsus.org/Festival.