Annual Festival of Trees for Brenner Children’s Hospital Rings in Holiday Season

November 5, 2012

A festive winter village with shops, elaborately decorated Christmas trees, holiday sounds and gingerbread houses will highlight this year’s 25th annual Festival of Trees. The popular November tradition benefits Brenner Children’s Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

The 2012 Festival of Trees will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18, from noon until 5 p.m. in the Education Building at the at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 2-12. Tickets are sold only at the door and parking is free.

The festival includes children’s activities, holiday entertainment, shopping and impressive displays of decorated miniature trees and wreaths available for purchase. There will also be the popular sparkling display of 40 large Christmas trees, each 7.5 feet tall and decorated in a particular theme by community volunteers and the Friends of Brenner Children’s Hospital.

Santa Claus will arrive Saturday morning for a special breakfast from 9-10 a.m. and will listen to every child’s wish list. Children under 12 will enjoy the children’s activities area where they may create crafts, play games or visit the Children’s Shop (no adults allowed) and purchase gifts (all under $5) for family, teachers and friends.

“The Festival of Trees is an event that brings the community together to raise money for programs that help Brenner patients and their families,” said Susan Kennedy, director of development and alumni events at Wake Forest Baptist. “We encourage everyone to come celebrate the holidays with us and support the pediatric programs at Brenner Children’s Hospital.”

The festival features a wide range of specialty shops with items from such favorites as Dewey’s Bakery, Nina’s Lil Bowtique, The Pitter Pat Boutique and Thirty-One Gifts.

Shoppers may bid on gingerbread houses through a silent auction in the festival’s Gingerbread Village, or purchase decorated miniature trees and wreaths. For non-shoppers who enjoy attending the festival for the holiday atmosphere, entertainment will be provided by such groups as the Whitaker Elementary School Chorus, Snappy Tappers and Academy of Dance Arts.

For more information, contact Nicole Witten in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at Wake Forest Baptist at 336-716-3908.

Media Relations

Eric Whittington: ewhittin@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-5318

Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487