More than 35,000 people attended Memorial’s 26th annual Festival of Trees, which raised $332,107 to fund health-related projects and programs at Memorial Health System and in the Springfield community.

The family-friendly event continues to be a success because of the support of generous sponsors, talented designers, dedicated committee members and more than 1,000 volunteers who staff the nine-day event, said Elena Kezelis, executive director of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

“Year after year, Memorial’s Festival of Trees continues to grow, and we credit our sponsors, designers and the community,” Kezelis said. “This event has become a tradition for everyone involved – our visitors, our volunteers, our entertainers. Not only are they enjoying themselves while surrounded by beautiful trees and wreaths, they are helping raise money for healthcare grants the Memorial Medical Center Foundation awards each spring.”

Memorial's Festival of Trees began in 1989 to benefit the mission of Memorial Medical Center. Since then, the festival has raised more than $4.2 million. Proceeds from Memorial’s Festival of Trees are used to fund grants focused on education, research, technology and patient care.

The 27th annual Festival of Trees will be Nov. 19-27. Evelyn Brandt Thomas is the honorary chair. The theme is “Remember When,” and the colors are red, turquoise and white.