About
We've been kicking off the holiday season for 40 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 $2,001,262 to Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
A grand total of 22,147 people attended the 2024 Saskatoon Festival of Trees. Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, visitors, volunteers and supporters, proceeds of $103,939.39 supported our beneficiary, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, towards the purchase of a new CT scanner.
A grand total of 22,147 people attended the 2024 Saskatoon Festival of Trees. Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, visitors, volunteers and supporters, proceeds of $103,939.39 supported our beneficiary, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, towards the purchase of a new CT scanner.
2025 ProceedsYour diagnosis. Your treatment. Your recovery. It starts here.
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Saskatoon City Hospital is reimagining healthcare. An addition of 109 acute care beds will increase capacity and alleviate pressure throughout the system in Saskatoon. By increasing acute care space in Saskatoon, emergency departments can admit patients more efficiently, reducing patient wait times for hospital admission and ensuring patients receive the right care in the right care setting.
As it has for more than 40 years, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation will support the advancement of healthcare at Saskatoon City Hospital. Your support of the 2025 Festival of Trees will position the Foundation to support equipment, resources, and programming necessary to facilitate the added beds.
It starts here. And it starts with you. Together we can continue to build a vibrant healthcare model that responds to needs of patients and their families.
As it has for more than 40 years, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation will support the advancement of healthcare at Saskatoon City Hospital. Your support of the 2025 Festival of Trees will position the Foundation to support equipment, resources, and programming necessary to facilitate the added beds.
It starts here. And it starts with you. Together we can continue to build a vibrant healthcare model that responds to needs of patients and their families.
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 Kobiela, Director
Kayla Gamola, Director
Raylene Kershaw, Operations Manager
2025 Committee Members
Sara Anderson | Royal Pajama Party Chair
Lorna Britz | Tree & Display Decorators Co-Chair
Nicole Brown | Volunteer Co-Chair
Courtney Carlberg | Admissions Captain
Connie Cornwell | Public Spaces Decorating Co-Chair, Admissions Captain
Anne-Marie DeWeert | Set Up & Take Down Chair
Nancy Downey | Public Spaces Decorating Co-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, Executive Assistant to Operations Manager
Perry Kjargaard | Tree Delivery Chair
Rhea Kjargaard | Art Showcase Chair
Kayla Kobiela | Mascots & Characters Chair, Fantasy Castle Chair, Photos With Santa Chair
Rita Kobiela | Brunch With Santa Chair
Alison Kraft | Holiday Market Chair
Gisele Layton | Mascots & Characters Committee
Tyneal McConnell | Father/Daughter Gala Chair
Abby Osika | Mascots & Characters Committee
Bonita Reilly | Admissions Coordinator
Ken Yick | Sponsorship Committee
Board of Directors
Ronna Hjertaas, Chair & CEO
Perry Kjargaard, Vice Chair
Mary-Lou Eastman, Secretary
Kim Callbeck, Treasurer
Kayla Kobiela, Director
Kayla Gamola, Director
Raylene Kershaw, Operations Manager
2025 Committee Members
Sara Anderson | Royal Pajama Party Chair
Lorna Britz | Tree & Display Decorators Co-Chair
Nicole Brown | Volunteer Co-Chair
Courtney Carlberg | Admissions Captain
Connie Cornwell | Public Spaces Decorating Co-Chair, Admissions Captain
Anne-Marie DeWeert | Set Up & Take Down Chair
Nancy Downey | Public Spaces Decorating Co-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, Executive Assistant to Operations Manager
Perry Kjargaard | Tree Delivery Chair
Rhea Kjargaard | Art Showcase Chair
Kayla Kobiela | Mascots & Characters Chair, Fantasy Castle Chair, Photos With Santa Chair
Rita Kobiela | Brunch With Santa Chair
Alison Kraft | Holiday Market Chair
Gisele Layton | Mascots & Characters Committee
Tyneal McConnell | Father/Daughter Gala Chair
Abby Osika | Mascots & Characters Committee
Bonita Reilly | Admissions Coordinator
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 40th year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.
Today we're in our 40th year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.