Springfield, IL

Join Us for Memorial's Festival of Trees Gala

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Memorial's Festival of Trees Gala is a black-tie preferred event that allows guests to view the Festival before it opens to the public. While you stroll through the parade of trees, indulge in festive cuisine and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season in a magical atmosphere. Dance the night away to the music of one of the area's favorite bands, all for a great cause - the programs of Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

Tickets are $85 and include hors d'oeuvres, dessert, wine, beer, soft drinks, complimentary valet parking and entertainment. To purchase tickets, click here. For more information, please call the Memorial Medical Center Foundation at (217) 788-4301.

Festival of Trees 2008 Entertainment Schedule

Become a
Festival of Trees Designer

The creation of trees, wreaths and centerpieces for each year's Festival of Trees is a cooperative process involving volunteer designers who donate their time, talent and treasure. We provide the trees and wreaths. You transform it into a delightful holiday creation that will be viewed by nearly 30,000 Festival visitors.

Designer Categories

Designers can choose from any of the following categories:

• Showcase ("rooms" which include a 7 foot tree and wreath)
• 7 foot tree
• 4 foot tree
• 30 inch wreath
• Tabletop centerpiece

Designer Benefits

As a way of thanking you for your participation, designers receive special benefits including:

• Recognition in the Festival of Trees promotional material and at the Festival of Trees
• Recognition in the special insert section of the State Journal-Register
• Complimentary ticket(s) to the Festival of Trees Gala
• Complimentary general admission tickets to Memorial's Festival of Trees

Designer Requirements

Designers are responsible for providing all decorations for the tree, wreath or centerpiece. Designer contracts are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. All trees, wreaths and centerpieces must be completed no later than one week prior to the Festival of Trees Gala, Saturday, November 15. If you wish to decorate on-site, Super Set-Up Weekend is November 8-9 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Join us for "A Winter Garden" as we create Springfield's premier holiday event.

For additional designer information, please read the following documents:

Festival of Trees Designer brochure

Designer Guidelines

Designer Contract

If you wish to participate, please complete and return the Designer Contract to:

Festival of Trees
One Memorial Plaza
Springfield, IL 62781

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Festival of Trees office at (217) 788-4301.

Memorial's Festival of Trees is an event of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation in Springfield, Illinois. It is held annually during the week of Thanksgiving in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Please click here for directions. For more information, please call the Festival of Trees at (217) 788-4301 or the Memorial Medical Center Foundation at
(217) 788-4700.

Click here to read about the Festival's history and event overview.

Admission: Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children ages 3-12. Children 2 and under are free. Seniors age 65 and over will receive a reduced admission price of $2.00 on Senior Day, Tuesday, November 25 only.

Children's Area: Crafts and special activities are available for children in the Children's Area.

Entertainment: Entertainment is provided daily (except on Thanksgiving) on the Entertainment Stage. Please check the entertainment schedule for a complete listing.

Performers should enter the Festival through the north entrance of the Orr Building and check-in at the Entertainment Stage.

Food: A variety of snacks and beverages are available in the Holiday Kitchen during operating hours. Only beverages are available on Thanksgiving Day. For a complete menu of items, please see the Holiday Kitchen page. Food is not allowed to be brought onto the premises.

Gala: The Festival of Trees Gala will open the holiday season in central Illinois on Saturday, November 15. Now in its 19th year, Memorial's Festival of Trees raises money to support the many programs and services offered by Memorial Medical Center, where more than 22,000 inpatients and 415,000 outpatients are treated each year. The Gala is a wonderful black-tie preferred evening of food, music and dancing. Individual gala tickets are $85 and can be purchased by clicking here.

Gift Items: A variety of holiday gift items are available for purchase in the Holiday Market during Festival hours. Credit cards are accepted. Click here for more information.

Gingerbread Bakery: Delicious hand-cut gingerbread cookies are decorated by Festival volunteers on-site and are available at the Festival of Trees while supplies last.

Handicapped Accessibility: The west entrance of the Orr Building is handicapped accessible. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come-first-served basis at both west and east entrances.

Hours of Operation: Click here for the Festival of Trees calendar.

Information: If you have questions while you are visiting the Festival of Trees, please ask the volunteers in the ticket area at either entrance. For more information, please call the Festival of Trees at (217) 788-4301.

Location/Directions: Click here for location and directions.

Santa's Workshop: Santa and Mrs. Claus are available daily to visit with children. Souvenir photos of your child with Santa Claus are available for purchase for $5.00.

School Groups: School groups are welcome during School Days. For more information or to register your group, please see the School Days section.

Student Displays: The 7-1/2 foot slim trees on display in the Student Displays area are decorated by area high school and junior high school students. For more information, please contact the Festival of Trees at (217) 788-4301.

Student Mini Trees: These 24 inch trees are decorated with hand-made ornaments by area elementary school children. For more information, visit the mini trees page.

Train: The Candy Cane Express train provides rides for children and adults. Tickets are $1.00.

Trees, Wreaths and Centerpieces: There are over 100 decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces on display each year at the Festival of Trees. Most of the trees, wreaths and centerpieces are designated for our sponsors. If you would like more information on sponsoring or designing a tree, wreath or centerpiece, please see the associated links.

Volunteers: This event is planned by a committee of volunteers and it requires nearly 1,000 volunteers to staff the nine day event. Those who have signed up to volunteer should enter the Orr Building through the north entrance. For more information or to volunteer, please see the Volunteer section.

How to use and install zinc strips

BY GENE AUSTIN

Zinc strips are available in 3-foot lengths and in roll form. The manufacturer's specific instructions should be followed when the strips are installed. In general, however, a strip of zinc spanning the width of the roof is installed near the roof ridge on each of the roof's slopes. Tabs of shingles are lifted to nail the strip, so that nail heads are covered by shingle tabs. A portion of the zinc is left exposed, of course. Rain washing over the zinc causes a chemical reaction that inhibits the growth of mold and fungi such as mildew, which often leave ugly dark stains on shingles.

One row of zinc at the ridge is suitable for typical roofs, but a second row halfway down the slope may be needed if the slope is more than 20 feet or if there is a serious mold problem.

The roof should be thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry completely before the zinc strips are installed. A source of zinc strips, roof cleaner, and more information is available at the Web site www.shingleshield.com.