For Immediate Release • September 6, 2023

Fort McMurray, Alberta. The Northern Lights Health Foundation is delighted to announce Festival of Trees Presented by Syncrude (Operated by Suncor), will be held November 17 to 19 at the Suncor Leisure Centre at MacDonald Island Park! We’ve got a great line up of seasonal festivities brought to you by dedicated sponsors including a full weekend of entertainment presented by Fort McKay First Nation, Fort McKay Group of Companies LP and Birch Mountain Enterprises LP. Here is a sneak peak of the events and what’s new for 2023.

Kicking the 3-day Festival weekend off is the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party presented by CEDA on Friday November 17––opening with hometown favorite Mychela and welcoming a fabulous new headline band – Uptown Entertainment. This 8-piece band will rock your Santa socks right off! Tickets are $85 and the party starts at 8:00 pm.

Bring the family down to Santa’s Workshop presented by Bouchier for an array of kids’ activities including the Teddy Bear Hospital presented by Bouchier, seasonal and Indigenous crafts, hat and stocking decorating, fishpond, and of course a visit and photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Activity passports are $20 each.

Spend time enjoying the beautifully decorated trees, shop the silent auction, and watch local choirs, dancers, and musicians perform on the big stage. All this and much more is happening in Winter Wonderland presented by Canadian Natural on Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. (variable closing schedule for additional events). Entry by donation.

The Festival of Trees Gala presented by Syncrude, Operated by Suncor, is the glowing heart of the Festival weekend. Prepared to be dazzled by the live tree auction featuring 35 trees generously created and gifted by local businesses to raise funds in a highly competitive auction. This is an event like no other – classy, sassy, and a little bit badassy, with energy, excitement, and elegance. Uptown Entertainment and Danny Hooper are bringing their A Game – don’t miss out. Tickets are $200 and doors open at 6 p.m.

And the wildly popular Daddy Daughter Sugar Plum Fairy Ball presented by APE Maintenance closes off the Festival weekend on Sunday, November 19. This fairy-tale fantasy event is the perfect setting for dancing, crafts, and socializing in the winter wonderland setting. Photobooths, ballerinas, and a rocking DJ make this sweet event one to remember. Tickets are $75/couple (dad/daughter) and additional daughter tickets are $15 each.

Greg Fuhr, Chair of the Health Foundation’s Board of Directors, says, “Festival of Trees is a magical time for everyone and truly ushers in the holiday season. With events for children, families, and adults there is something for everyone all in a fabulously decorated venue. And, with all the funds raised going to local healthcare initiatives this event is a powerful way for our entire community to be engaged in fundraising.

“Festival is a great big present chock full of entertainment, trees, goodies, and fun,” says Vanessa MacNevin, Health Foundation Executive Director. “Ticket sales for the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, Festival Gala, and Daddy Daughter Ball start tomorrow, Wednesday September 6. Tickets are very limited for these extremely popular events.”

Sponsorship opportunities for Festival of Trees are now available. The Health Foundation is seeking monetary sponsors, tree sponsors to create and submit decorated trees for auction, gifts of silent and live auction items and gifts of services to help put on the events. Generous sponsor recognition and ticket packages are available. 

Over the past 33 years, the Festival of Trees has raised over $10million (net after all expenses) for local healthcare, with over 35,000 volunteer hours invested by thousands of community members. We are excited to welcome back returning Festival committee team leads and are seeking additional volunteers to help shape and support the weekend.

The 2023 Festival of Trees Sponsorship and Tree Contributor Guide are available at GivetoNLHF.ca