SANDY — In its first year in the old armory off Sunnyside Avenue in Salt Lake County 45 years ago, the Festival of Trees made $47,000 from the sale of 60 Christmas trees — a remarkable sum at the time.
The 15 women on the Women's Endowment Committee, led by chairwoman Betty Wells, were thrilled.
Last year, the total raised from the sale of donated and decorated large and small trees, holiday wreaths, gingerbread houses, homemade candy, stockings, small gifts and hot sugared scones along with a wealth of additional items and activities came to $2.3 million.
Those serving on the committee are happy to see ongoing success, but are still committed to do better.
All of the money they raise goes to Primary Children's Hospital — more than $35 million since the festival's origin.
"We're blessed to have a free-standing, excellent hospital here," said committee chairwoman Marie Partridge. "There are not many people in the area who haven't been touched in some way by Primary Children's Hospital."
The hospital serves the largest geographic area of any children's hospital in the United States and cares for some of the most critically ill, according to the hospital's blog.
Last year, more than $14.4 million was spent on 9,260 hospital visits involving children in financial need, according to information from the Festival of Trees committee.
"Serving on the committee is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done," Partridge said. "When my oldest child graduated, I felt there was not a better way to spend my time."
It's also a year-round job.
Partridge, along with thousands of volunteers, thinks and plans from the end of one festival to the start of the next.
"It's always at the forefront of our minds," she said.
The 90 committee members put in 10- to 20-hour days and sometimes move into hotels in Salt Lake to cut down on travel time. They encourage creativity and participation from businesses to Scout troops to church and school groups.
"We're always trying to be innovative and stay up with the times," Partridge said. "We'd love to do more every year but so much depends on outside factors, the weather, the economy. We just do our best and hope for the best."
Partridge said the show is now the largest at the South Towne Expo Center and is the "granddaddy of tree festivals."
"Years ago, someone said it would burn itself out, but instead it's thriving," she said.
All of the playhouses, baked goods, handmade gifts and treats are donated, and 30,000 volunteers create the 800 fantastical trees, supervise the children's activity stations, frost sweet rolls, make life-size bubbles, sing, dance and host at the festival, which concludes with delivery of the trees at the end of the festival to homes and businesses all along the Wasatch Front.
Those who attend the festival are in for a visually stunning event.
It's also a heart-tugging experience as many families and groups create "Memory Trees" to honor and remember children who have died.
Inspired when Ruth Flint, who served as co-chairwoman of the first planning committee, visited a Christmas boutique in Hawaii that featured small, decked-out trees and decorations, the festival has since found a place in the hearts of donors and buyers alike.
No tree is refused, and originality is rewarded. Entries can include everything from a Star Wars tree to a tree created entirely of wire or PVC pipe to elegant trees featuring angels, toy cars or Barbie dolls.
Some donors have made a tree every year for decades: The Jim Larsen family of Pleasant Grove is working on their 39th tree. The John Rich family from Centerville has donated a tree for 43 years, and the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha hasn't missed creating and donating a tree since the start.
Jeanie Earl, a second-grade teacher at Eagle Crest Elementary in Lehi, is working on tree ornaments for a 14th tree from her students.
More than 100,000 people visit the festival each year to see the trees, buy them and soak in the color, sounds and spirit.
"For me, it's really the magic of Christmas," Partridge said.
If you go ...
What: Festival of Trees, a benefit for Primary Children's Hospital
Where: South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State, Sandy
When: Dec. 2-5, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets: $6 for adults, $3 for children, $18 for families on Dec. 2; available at the door or at several Zions Bank lodations at a discount
Website: festivaloftreesutah.org
Things to do, see and buy
Hot scones and sweet rolls
Centerpieces and wreaths
Playhouses and quilts
Children's activities; call Santa's elf, make an ornament, stand inside a life-size bubble, create art
Enjoy live entertainment from school groups, local choirs, dance troupes
Gift boutique
Candy shop
Face painting
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.
Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com