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Festival of Trees returns to kick off holiday season virtually

With the holiday season quickly approaching, the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie (BGCA) is preparing for its largest ever Festival of Trees, set to take place from Nov. 27 to Nov. 29.
COMM - BGCA FoT web
The Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie's Festival of Trees returned for its seventh year on Nov. 27. Photo Submitted/For Airdrie City View.

With the arrival of December, the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie (BGCA) is hosting its largest Festival of Trees, which is taking place virtually from Dec.1 to 11.

“It is just a great community event,” said Kathy Ritcher, manager of Events with BGCA. “For the first time, we actually have 13 trees. That is amazing in itself, [and] is a record.”

According to Ritcher, the Festival of Trees sees BGCA buy a number of Christmas trees each winter. In turn, local businesses that sponsor the event purchase and decorate the trees however they see fit. They can alo leave gifts under the tree. Once the trees are decorated and set up at BGCA’s headquarters at the Ron Ebbeson Arena, virtual attendees can purchase $5 raffle tickets for the chance to win the tree of their choosing.

A last minute change due to additional provincial restrictions announced Nov. 24 caused BGCA to adjust its plans to ensure the event could still go ahead. In a normal year, people would be able to come see the trees in person and take photos with Santa Claus.

But new restrictions on gathering have meant the event will take place strictly online in 2020. 

"People will be able to pick which tree they want to buy raffle tickets for, like in previous years, [but] the event is just moving online," Ritcher said. 

Thirteen businesses are involved this year including Davis Chevrolet, HairBenders Salon, Airdrie Phoenix Swim Club, Blue Grass Garden Centre and Martins Pest Control. Ritcher said the event is great because not only do people get a shot at winning the decorated trees, there is also an opportunity to promote local businesses. 

In previous years, the event would be part of BGCA’s annual holiday market, Ritcher said, but considering the recent restrictions, the team decided to cancel the holiday market. The trees will also be housed in the BGCA's headquarters.

While this is an annual fundraiser used to help the club continue to offer its programming, Ritcher said the event also helps promote local business and celebrates the spirit of Christmas.

“In these times, we need something good,” she said. “When people come into the venue, they will see all of the trees and all of the work that went into them and hopefully it takes you away for a moment.”

For more information and to view the trees that are involved with the event, you can visit airdrie-boys-and-girls-club.square.site/#rZbNMd.

Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz

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