About
We've been kicking off the holiday season for 41 years (since 1986!) becoming a family favourite in Saskatoon and a seasonal tradition for so many.
Purpose
Our purpose is to engage the community in an event that celebrates the holiday season through special events, attractions and decorated displays while raising funds to support our beneficiary, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
Revenue is generated through general admission, the sale of decorated displays, gingerbread cookies, special events, raffles and most importantly - sponsorship.
Revenue is generated through general admission, the sale of decorated displays, gingerbread cookies, special events, raffles and most importantly - sponsorship.
Supporting Community
Since becoming a non-profit in 2006, we've donated $2,151,402 to Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
A grand total of 27,148 people attended the 40th anniversary of the Saskatoon Festival of Trees in 2025. Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, visitors, volunteers and supporters, proceeds of $150,140 supported our beneficiary, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, to help fund the equipment, resources, and programming needed to add 109 new acute care beds at Saskatoon City Hospital.
A grand total of 27,148 people attended the 40th anniversary of the Saskatoon Festival of Trees in 2025. Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, visitors, volunteers and supporters, proceeds of $150,140 supported our beneficiary, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, to help fund the equipment, resources, and programming needed to add 109 new acute care beds at Saskatoon City Hospital.
2026 ProceedsSaskatoon City Hospital is reimagining healthcare. Proceeds from the 2026 Saskatoon Festival of Trees will benefit the Acute Care Expansion campaign at Saskatoon City Hospital.
|
|
The expansion adds 109 acute care beds, including 60 medicine beds, 15 high-acuity observation beds, a new 22-bed acute rehabilitation unit, and a 12-bed dedicated unit for patients with acquired brain injuries, the first of its kind in the province. This will increase capacity, alleviate pressure on our healthcare system, reduce wait times, and ensure patients receive the care they need when they need it most.
Your support will go towards equipment and resources necessary for the added beds and help ensure that they continue providing the highest quality of care for you and your loved ones.
Your support will go towards equipment and resources necessary for the added beds and help ensure that they continue providing the highest quality of care for you and your loved ones.
Our Team
We're a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors. A core committee plans year-round while the event itself is powered by up to 250 volunteers.
Board of Directors
Ronna Hjertaas, Chair & CEO
Perry Kjargaard, Vice Chair
Mary-Lou Eastman, Secretary
Kim Callbeck, Treasurer
Kayla Gamola, Director
Kayla Kobiela, Director
Raylene Kershaw, Operations Manager
2026 Committee Members
Sara Anderson | Royal Pajama Party Chair
Lorna Britz | Tree & Display Decorators Co-Chair
Nicole Brown | Volunteer Co-Chair
Kim Callbeck | Finance Chair
Courtney Carlberg | Admissions Captain
Connie Cornwell | Public Spaces Decorating Co-Chair, Admissions Captain
Anne-Marie DeWeert | Set Up & Take Down Chair
Mary-Lou Eastman | Tree & Display Decorators Co-Chair
Kayla Gamola | Volunteer Co-Chair
Deb Haeusler | Gingerbread Lane Chair
Ronna Hjertaas | Sponsorship Chair
Kris Kershaw | Marketing & Communications Chair
Raylene Kershaw | Operations Manager
Perry Kjargaard | Tree Delivery Chair
Kayla Kobiela | Mascots & Characters Chair, Photos With Santa Chair
Rita Kobiela | Brunch With Santa Chair
Alison Kraft | Holiday Market Chair
Kai Kraft | Holiday Market Committee
Gisele Layton | Mascots & Characters Committee, Admissions Captain
Tyneal McConnell | Father/Daughter Gala Chair
Abby Osika | Mascots & Characters Committee
Ken Yick | Sponsorship Committee
Board of Directors
Ronna Hjertaas, Chair & CEO
Perry Kjargaard, Vice Chair
Mary-Lou Eastman, Secretary
Kim Callbeck, Treasurer
Kayla Gamola, Director
Kayla Kobiela, Director
Raylene Kershaw, Operations Manager
2026 Committee Members
Sara Anderson | Royal Pajama Party Chair
Lorna Britz | Tree & Display Decorators Co-Chair
Nicole Brown | Volunteer Co-Chair
Kim Callbeck | Finance Chair
Courtney Carlberg | Admissions Captain
Connie Cornwell | Public Spaces Decorating Co-Chair, Admissions Captain
Anne-Marie DeWeert | Set Up & Take Down Chair
Mary-Lou Eastman | Tree & Display Decorators Co-Chair
Kayla Gamola | Volunteer Co-Chair
Deb Haeusler | Gingerbread Lane Chair
Ronna Hjertaas | Sponsorship Chair
Kris Kershaw | Marketing & Communications Chair
Raylene Kershaw | Operations Manager
Perry Kjargaard | Tree Delivery Chair
Kayla Kobiela | Mascots & Characters Chair, Photos With Santa Chair
Rita Kobiela | Brunch With Santa Chair
Alison Kraft | Holiday Market Chair
Kai Kraft | Holiday Market Committee
Gisele Layton | Mascots & Characters Committee, Admissions Captain
Tyneal McConnell | Father/Daughter Gala Chair
Abby Osika | Mascots & Characters Committee
Ken Yick | Sponsorship Committee
History
The Festival of Trees started in 1986 as a one-day event at the TCUP organized by the Canadian Progress Club – Saskatoon Meewasin. Proceeds were shared amongst the Progress Club, Saskatoon Crisis Nursery and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
- 1987: the Festival became a two-day event hosted at the Delta Bessborough hotel
- 1988 to 1990: the Festival continued to grow and gain popularity
- 1990: Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation organized the Gala Evening & the Progress Club turned over the Festival to the Foundation to run
- 1991: the Festival was named the Saskatoon City Hospital Festival of Trees
Non-Profit
The Festival of Trees developed into a 9-day event. With a strong volunteer committee in place, the decision was made to establish the Festival as its own non-profit. On April 1, 2006 the Festival became the Saskatoon City Hospital Festival of Trees Inc. (later changing its name to the Saskatoon Festival of Trees Inc. on March 11, 2014).
Today we're in our 41st year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.
Today we're in our 41st year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.