The 13th annual Festival of Trees will

be today and Saturday at Sara Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Kim Uphoff, the vice president of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health

Foundation, said the festival helps get the community into the

holiday spirit.

“It’s an opportunity to transform the center into a winter

wonderland,” she said.

Uphoff said the public is invited to bid in a silent auction for

decorated trees, wreaths and specialty items auctioned off on

Saturday.

She said a gala event will also be sponsored, although it is

already sold out.

Uphoff said there will also be several holiday items for sale at

the “Merry Marketplace.”

The festival will also have “Rudolph’s Raffle.” Tickets for the

raffle are $1 each or 10 for $5.

Local residents donated the decorated trees, she said.

“We have a group of designers who volunteer their time, talent and

resources to the trees,” she said.

Uphoff said the event has been every year since its start.

“We get incredibly strong support from community,” she said. “It’s

always well attended and well supported, and people look forward to

attending.”

Uphoff said the community is invited to attend.

The festival is located in located in the Education Center.

The festival will take place today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and

Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

She said the proceeds raised will support funding future campaigns

for the Center’s Healthy Kids program and the expansion of the

health center.

General admission is $3. Admission for children under the age of 12

is free.

Sara Hall can be reached at

581-2812 or [email protected].