Festival of Trees returns for 46th year, bigger and better

It is the week before Thanksgiving, which means the Festival of Trees has returned to Idaho Falls for the 46th time!

Organizers said the event has grown so much that it had to be moved to a bigger venue, at Pinecrest Event Center.

Public relations, Patricia Taysom, said it is kind of like the ushering of the holidays.

“My favorite part this year, particularly is, our community is so divided, politically, and I feel like this is a way for us to all come together and to support an event that’s going to help the downtrodden or people with disabilities.”

Trees big and small were being auctioned.

What started out as a festival to fund a Catholic church is now a fundraiser for people with disabilities, so that they can receive services from the Development Workshop Inc.

Guests usually look forward to looking at the different types of trees, photos with Santa and food, said Patricia.

One guest thinks otherwise!

“I a lot of times my nieces and nephews and my kids are performing, so I really love to see all the performances and all the variety and you just get to sit at the stage and watch all these awesome things bring the spirit of Christmas,” Lorna Erickson said.

The proceeds will go to disability programs.

The Festival of Trees runs through Friday, November 18.