Memorial’s Festival of Trees Gala, an elegant fundraiser scheduled before the Festival of Trees opening, will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Tickets are now available online at MemorialsFestivalofTrees.com until 3 p.m. Nov. 9 and cost $100. The formal event includes hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and dessert; a cash bar for mixed drinks will be available. The gala will include a silent auction, live music, strolling carolers and nearly two dozen Lincoln-period re-enactors who will incorporate the celebration of Illinois’ bicentennial.

“Our annual gala is open to the public and, like the Festival of Trees, helps us to raise funds that benefit healthcare in our community,” said Amanda Johnson, event manager for Memorial Medical Center Foundation, which coordinates the holiday event. “The gala is a festive event that allows attendees to have a sneak peek at the festival before we officially open.”

Tickets can also be purchased at the Memorial Medical Center Foundation office at 1000 Churchill Road in Springfield, by calling 217-788-4700 and at the door.

Memorial’s Festival of Trees will open one week later, running from Nov. 17-25 in the Orr Building. The theme for the 29th annual event is “Holidays Through Our History.”

The festival’s hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 17, Nov. 19-21 and Nov. 23-24; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 18 and Nov. 25; and 4-8 p.m. Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving Day).

Memorial’s Festival of Trees began in 1989 as an event to benefit the healthcare programs offered by Memorial Medical Center. Since then, the festival has raised more than $4.9 million for health-related projects and programs for Memorial Health System and the Springfield community. 

For more information about the Festival of Trees, contact the Memorial Medical Center Foundation at 217-788-4700 or visit the festival’s website at MemorialsFestivalofTrees.com.