JASON PARKS

STAFF WRITER

The newly barren trees, the familiar nip of a north wind and crashing waves of West Lake can only mean one thing.

The Festival of Trees has returned to the Isaiah Tubbs Resort and Conference Centre.

The annual fundraiser scheduled for Nov. 23-25 is organized by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and supports the purchase of priority medical equipment for the local hospital.

This year, the event will raise funds for a new Paediatric and neonatal monitor which will replace an obsolete model at PECMH.

A mainstay for raising money for great causes in this community for decades, the event originated as a fundraiser for Garrett’s Island but was assumed and restored by the Hospital Auxiliary.

In 2017, over $50,000 was raised by the Festival of Trees to go towards the purchase of medical equipment and the year-over-year support the event enjoys is a testament both to the items and goods that are available as well as the passion attendees have for supporting PECMH.

The event raises funds in a number of ways.

The wildly popular silent auction of trees commences Friday and closes at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The trees are an artistic creation that are loaded with goods and services, vouchers, gifts, bottles of wine and spirits and a host of other items that are donated by community-minded individuals and local businesses.

Another event that draws an excess of foot traffic is the annual festive food sale.

There’s typically a lineup at the door for the wares produced and sourced by Auxiliary volunteers.

A committee gathers weekly over the year to preserve local and seasonal crops. Asparagus in May, strawberries, rhubarb and cherries in June, beans, beets, raspberries and carrots

in July and, of course, tomatoes in August and September.

In additions to canned goods, pickles, preserves, chutneys, marmalade, lemon curd, tourtière, fruit pies, cakes, cookies, squares, butter tarts, lemon/poppy seed loaf created by some of the best cooks in Prince Edward County.

According to organizers, at last count there were over 1800 jars of preserves and local farmers have been very generous to the auxiliary.

Finally, the Christmas Boutique features some of the best items from the Auxiliary’s Second Time Around shop.

Shop volunteers spend all year carefully saving special items for the Christmas boutique. The store is full of gorgeous Christmas decorations, gifts items, linens, books, home decor, jewellery and more.

Children can visit Santa at the William’s Pavilion and have their pictures taken with him on Sat. Nov. 24 11:30 am – 4:00 p.m. And Sun. Nov. 25 10:00 am – 1:00 p.m.

Finally, it wouldn’t be a festival without live entertainment. Musicians will be be playing at the Restaurant on the Knoll everyday.

The schedule includes:

FRIDAY, NOV. 23

The festive food tables are always a busy spot during the annual Festival of Trees event. (Jason Parks/Gazette file photo)

11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Sarah Barrett-Harris

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Jim Freeland & The Noteables

2 – 3 p.m. Eric Pilgrim & Friends – David and Michele Simmonds

3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Drew Ackerman & Bill McBurney

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Nick Doornbos – Classic Guitar,

5:45 – 7:15 p.m. Bev Verge- Acoustic Guitar, Singer

7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Seventh Town Celtic

SATURDAY, NOV. 24

11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Children’s Program: Mark Despault

11:30 – 12 p.m. Mark Despault

12:15 – 1 p.m. Bay of Quinte Chorus

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Lenny Stewart & Eric Fry

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Instant Rivalry: Megan & Caleb Hutton

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Shout Sister

5 – 6 p.m. Aaron Nash – Acoustic Guitar

6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Lorrain, Sandra & Linda Sine, Rob Johnson (Guitar)

7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Command Performance

SUNDAY, NOV. 25

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Frère Brothers

For more information, please visit www.pecfestivaloftrees.ca

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