t Festival of Trees takes over Pavilion Nov. 28-30.
The largest fundraiser in Kitsap County is next weekend.
The Harrison Medical Center Foundation’s Festival of Trees has raised more than $2.6 million over the years for the local, nonprofit hospital and this year’s event should rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars to add to the total.
Festival of Trees is Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29 and 30 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Doors are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 per person and children 12 and younger and senior citizens 60 and older get in for free.
“It’s for a great cause,” said Harrison Medical Center Foundation’s annual giving manager Lisa Johnson.
She said Festival of Trees raised $390,000 at last year’s event, making it the largest fundraiser in Kitsap County. Proceeds from Festival of Trees go toward cancer care and the construction of the healing garden at Harrison Medical Center.
“It’s a holiday tradition. It’s been around for 22 years,” Johnson said.
During the weekend, people can browse the goods of several local vendors as well as visit the “general store,” which is an extension of the Harrison Medical Center gift shop, according to Johnson.
The Gala Tree Party & Auction is Friday, Nov. 28 at the Pavilion and tickets are required.
Tickets cost $125 per person and the event includes a cocktail hour and dinner. Guests will participate in both live and silent auctions to purchase 4- to 7 1/2-foot-tall decorated Christmas trees.
“Twenty trees will be auctioned off as well as 15 or 16 live auction items,” Johnson said.
She said there are traditional Christmas trees up for auction as well as speciality trees including jungle, wine, fishing and Santa’s elves themed trees. People not only receive a decorated tree, but various prizes, such as trips or wine, that come with each holiday tree.
Families can have breakfast with Santa Claus from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. Tickets are $12.50 per person and includes general admission to the festival. Tickets will be sold at the door, but Johnson encourages people to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Mini trees, which are 24 inches or shorter, and some larger trees also will be sold in an online auction. Bids can be made at www.harrisonfestival.cmarket.com.
