Festive fun at the Festival of Trees Brunch
Students of KTigers Taekwondo entertain the crowd as they snap boards in half with their feet during a martial arts demonstration Saturday morning at the Festival of Trees Festival Brunch in The Coeur d'Alene Resort. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
DEVIN WEEKS/Press Red Bird Theater actress Kylee Lavier as “Margaret” sings a Christmas carol into the microphone Saturday morning while she and her colleagues perform a piece of “The Scrooge and Marley Annual Christmas Ball” for guests of the Festival of Trees Brunch in The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Also pictured: Brianna Gilge (directly behind Lavier), Marie Hunt and Brandon Miller.
This hubcap tree, titled "Cruising Through the Holidays," was one of nearly 30 trees up for auction Saturday during the 30th annual Kootenai Health Foundation Festival of Trees Brunch. The Festival, which annually begins on Friday and ends Monday, has raised more than $6.7 million to support different hospital projects since inception. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
COEUR d’ALENE — A young family strolled by the convention bay of The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Saturday morning.
They stopped to snap a photo with one of the decorated trees in the hallway.
"I think of baby reindeer in the snow," said 4-year-old Piper Neu of Sagle.
"I think they're really nice," said her big sister, Palyn, 7.
It was the family's first time exploring in downtown Coeur d'Alene during the holiday excitement and the Festival of Trees. They stayed Friday night in The Resort and awoke to a snow-covered Coeur d'Alene.
"It's a lot bigger than I ever imagined," said mom Arminda Heinbaugh. "I had no idea how huge this event was."
Inside the convention center, hundreds of people enjoyed the Festival Brunch. The room was lined with nearly 30 brilliant and uniquely-decorated Christmas trees, including one flipped upside-down by Chapman Financial Services for a "Christmas in Wonderland" theme, and the William Johnson Company's tree made out of shiny hubcaps for the theme of "Cruising Through the Holidays."
Diane Frew of Coeur d'Alene attended the brunch with the Rambling Rovers Senior Travel club. She admired Willamette Dental Group's "Very Merry, Merry-Go-Round" tree, which had a carousel theme and was adorned with hand-decorated Breyer collectible horses.
"I'm a horse fanatic. My whole house has horses, that's why I love this tree. It's beautiful," she said before the brunch began. "I took pictures and sent them to my son, saying, 'This is my next tree.'"
She has attended the Festival Brunch several times and enjoys seeing friends at the function as much as she enjoys seeing the different trees each year.
"It's just the way they decorate all the trees. I would never think, I mean, who would have an upside-down tree? And then they have a hubcap one down there," she said, gesturing across the room. "Where do they come up with these ideas? I love the trees. And last year the entertainment was really good, too."
This year's entertainment included an energetic martial arts demonstration by KTigers Taekwondo and Red Bird Theater actors who performed a fun and festive slice of "The Scrooge and Marley Christmas Ball."
Marie Hunt, who owns the theater with husband Daniel, said it was an honor to perform for the Festival guests.
"I felt really proud to be able to do it, and it looks beautiful in there," she said.
The Kootenai Health Foundation's Festival of Trees is celebrating its 30th year. In that time, it has raised more than $6.7 million in funding that has impacted more than 5 million people's lives through projects including pediatric services, the endowment fund, emergency services, the heart center, cancer patient services and others.
"We are proud to have helped this wonderful community kick off the holidays in style over the past 30 years," said Foundation President Julie Holt. "We are deeply grateful to the thousands of people who have volunteered their time and given over $6.7 million to support our community hospital."
The Festival of Trees continues today with Family Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Resort. Guests will enjoy viewing the trees, a children's workshop, face-painting, crafts, photos with Santa and holiday performances by local school groups. Family Day is free and open to the public but donations will be accepted at the door.
The Festival Luncheon Fashion Show and Dinner Fashion Show will be Monday 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Price varies by seating.
Tickets: www.kootenai healthfoundation.org