Kathy Eller loved her ninth-grade English students so much that even as she battled breast cancer — and then bone cancer — she never missed a day of school. She collected old hats and the distinctive hat boxes that stored them.
And every year she decorated a tree for Festival of Trees, to raise money for Primary Children's Medical Center. Her last tree was part of the festival last December, the month she died of leukemia.
She has a tree this year, too, "Hats off to Kathy," fancifully decorated this time by others, replete with her hat boxes and hats, her picture prominently displayed at the side.
The Festival of Trees is celebrating its 35th year, during which time it has raised more than $20 million to provide charity care at the pediatric hospital. The 2005 festival kicked off Tuesday night with an auction of the more than 700 trees, plus all the gingerbread houses, wreaths and other displays. With KSL Radio's Doug Wright at the microphone, amid music by Cori Connors and the Children's Choir, pediatric patients Savannah Spacil and Matthew Anderson helped flip the switch that bathed 220,000 square feet of the exhibit hall at South Towne Exposition Center in twinkling lights.
Some of the trees are cheery, others sentimental. The Willy Wonka tree by Datamark is both, with large chocolate bars and the famed "gold tickets," this set redeemable for all the features of a night out, from food to lodging and entertainment. It has flowers and a gumball machine and the smiling portrait of Ed Gramala, in whose memory it was created.
The placement of Paul Ostler's tree was important, said festival publicity chairwoman Rachelle Johnson. Paul played the piano for the past three years at the festival, so they put his tree close to the stage and the piano. Like most of the trees, his tells a story.
Paul, a Scout, was struck by lightning and killed while at camp. He had wanted to be an organ donor, but because of his injuries only his corneas could be transplanted. For that gift, the tree is called "Through Paul's Eyes."
Donated by his Hillside LDS stake, Paul's tree area is a place to relax and read a good book — which, the instructions say, you then sign and pass on to someone else. There's a bookshelf and a bean bag chair, an electric keyboard, toys for boys and the tree itself, decorated in red, white and blue with footballs and basketballs, soccer balls and golf balls.
An angel stands watch over the photo of Alix Colvin, who died at age 11, near the tree decorated to remember her by the Farmington 10th Ward Young Women.
In one display, "Celebration of Life," by Beneficial Financial Group, the cluster of trees is secondary to the miniature village they shelter, complete with tiny skiers and sledders, and a working tram.
A Jordan High School club put together "Harry's Tree of Dreams," with all things Harry Potter-ish, including an oversize wizard's cap.
"Live Strong" by Friends of the Festival features cancer survivor and Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
Salt Lake Firefighters local 1645, its credit union and American Industries created one of the more unusual displays — a "tree" supported by an oversize fireman's ladder and hose, with ornaments by Mountain Metal that include tiny hatchets and shields.
Some of the trees tell stories of children who survived devastating illnesses. Colleen Brown created such a tree as a thanks because her son Zachary had his hearing restored at the children's hospital. Countrywide put together a similarly themed tree, "A Star Still Shining," for Garrett Cantrell, treated for a rare genetic immune deficiency.
Wasatch High School students in a woodworking class spent more than a year creating a gargantuan backyard swing set. Many of the students, Johnson said, came back and worked on it after they'd completed the class.
There's a Kids' Korner with activities for youngsters, a shop with treats and surprises priced for a child's budget, a gift boutique, live performances by choirs and dance troupes and more. Santa's also going to be on hand throughout the event's four-day run.
This year, the festival teamed up with Meier & Frank to create a window-display area. The retailer provided a fake "store front" like its own in ZCMI Center, and some veteran decorators who have participated for years in the Festival of Trees were invited to dress them up. The results are striking.
Another longtime decorator created a gigantic wooden train. And among the gingerbread houses there's a large gingerbread sailing ship called "Notorious," donated by Big O Tires.
The Festival, at 9575 S. State, runs today through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Admission is $4 for adults, $2.50 for children 11 and under. Discount tickets are available at Zions Bank. Family tickets are available at the door only today, for $13, which will admit six immediate family members. Senior citizen tickets are $2.50.
E-mail: lois@desnews.com