Children were excited to meet Santa Claus at the fifth annual Nk’Mip Festival of Trees. (Keith Lacey photo)
Children from across British Columbia continue to reap the benefits from the annual Nk’Mip Festival of Trees, which kicked off its fifth annual festival on Saturday.
The popular festival of trees has helped raise more than $45,000 for the British Columbia Children’s Hospital in its first four years, said Jennifer Zaijka, meeting and events co-ordinator at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa, which is once again hosting the festival.
The festival will continue throughout the holiday season and wraps up on January 4.
More than 200 people showed up to check out the 31 trees entered into this year’s festival as well as greet Santa Claus and join in the lighting of the huge Tree of Hope located outside the main entrance to the hotel at Spirit Ridge.
“We get great support from the entire community for our festival,” said Zaijka. “I was very pleased with the turnout for the kickoff event on Saturday and we’re hoping for another very successful festival.”
Besides raising money for the children’s hospital, the event will also help raise money for Spirit of the Game, the organization in Osoyoos that helps raise funds to allow local children to participate in minor sports and other recreational activities.
Money for Spirit of the Game is being raised through the sale of silent auction items and a contest where people make a donation to guess how many lights there are on the Tree of Hope.
The funds raised for B.C. Children’s Hospital are generated by visitors who pay $2 to select their favourite tree entered into the festival as well as the entry fee for local businesses to enter the contest, said Zaijka.
The festival would not continue to be successful without the strong support of the local business community who enter trees into the festival, she said.
The trees will remain on display every day through the holiday season from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weeknights and 7 p.m. on weekends.
There is no cost to attend, but donations are appreciated.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
The concert band from Osoyoos Secondary School performed at the fifth annual Nk’Mip Festival of Trees. (Keith Lacey photo)
Children were excited to meet Santa Claus at the fifth annual Nk’Mip Festival of Trees. (Keith Lacey photo)
Visitors admire Christmas trees at the fifth annual Nk’Mip Festival of Trees. (Keith Lacey photo)
