Memorial’s Festival of Trees is one of Springfield’s most popular holiday events, attracting 30,000-35,000 visitors in recent years. Big changes are coming to this year’s event. For the first time, the Festival of Trees will be held throughout downtown Springfield and will be free of charge.
For years hundreds of creatively decorated trees and wreaths, along with children’s activities and a myriad of holiday festivities, filled the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Many families enjoy going year after year, continuing the tradition into the next generation. While festive and fun, Memorial’s Festival of Trees was begun to benefit the mission of Memorial Medical Center. It is sponsored by the Memorial Medical Center Foundation. Since 1989 the festival has raised more than $5.5 million to fund health care grants focused on education, research, technology and patient care.
This year’s theme is “A Season of Caring.” The move and collaboration with Downtown Springfield Inc. will give a boost to local small businesses that are still recovering from the pandemic. The event will take place over two consecutive Saturdays in November.
This article appears in Sky’s the limit.
Not sure how you plan to raise any funds with this format, but , given the cold temps we’ve had in recent years, you probably have just omitted your seniors and children from participating and enjoying the Trees and Decorations. My opinion. Bob Best
No or very difficult access to small cramped stores leaves wheelchair and walker users unable to attend. Weather huge reason for large event under one roof. This idea is yet another futile attempt to revive a block or two downtown leaving those loyal festival goers out in the cold. Literally!
I find it very sad they are moving the Festival of Trees from a single venue to multiple sites downtown. If they had held it in the Fairgrounds first and then moved the trees to various stores downtown that would be one thing but to discontinue the festival altogether is very sad. I and my family will not be traipsing all over town to look at the beautiful trees dragging a wheelchair and stroller through the cold and possibly snow from store to store, fighting for space in a confined area surrounded by merchandise my child will be reaching for at every turn. Will you have seating available when the handicapped get tired, a bathroom when a toddler needs to go, and believe me moving in and out of stores in the cold, they will have to go! This like many others is a poor decision on the part of the “decision-makers” in this town, parking will be a nightmare. Put the trees downtown after but leave the Festival in the Fairgrounds. We really looked forward to it after this last year of confinement. I would rather have seen it at White Oaks Mall.
I am very disappointed to hear this. I loved taking my toddler grandson and family to the fairgrounds for the festival. It was convenient to get to. Parking was free and easy to find. Something to consider when hosting a family event during the winter months. We enjoyed meandering around looking at the trees, decorations and the Gingerbread Village. We always had to decorate and eat a cookie. Of course riding the train and seeing all of the twinkling lights and decorations was fun and exciting for the little ones. If the event had to be moved I had hoped it would at least be to another indoor venue like the convention center. Even there the parking would not be convenient or free. Walking to the center or anywhere downtown is a challenge for the elderly and small children especially during the winter months. If it were to be at the convention center those able bodied enough might decide to do a bit of shopping while they were in the area. I have family that comes to town just for this event. I seriously doubt that will be happening any more. Its just too much of a hassle to drive around to find a parking spot along with the challenges of going from store to store with our elderly and small children in cramped little spaces in the cold, rain, ice and maybe even snow. Who knows what the weather will be like at that time of the year. I just see this as a major flop. By the way isnt the inconveniences of parking and the winter weather why First Night as well as a few other Holiday events have been cancelled? I know having a shop downtown is difficult but couldnt they think of another event that wouldnt hinder families from participating in and enjoying? Maybe something in the Fall, Spring or Summer? Please dont take this event away from us.
This is so disappointing. After a discussion concerning this change, our entire family and some friends decided to pass on the event going forward. For two decades we came to the Orr building each year and had a very nice time. On average, we numbered about twenty people. For us, traveling to different locations in the cold spread all around downtown to get only a portion of the experience we’ve had for years is unacceptable.
I’ve seen it mentioned that you need volunteers, the train is in need of repair, supply chains are bad and so on. If that’s the case, why would nearly as many people volunteer to be in the cold instead of indoors. If the train needs repaired, then repair the train. My kids, along with numerous other families children (and adults) rode the train every year. And, if you can’t get as many trees or supplies, do the best you can.
From the comments previously posted here and other places, it’s obvious most people would prefer having the traditional event instead of this new mess – even if the event doesn’t have quite as many displays. All said, I’d rather pay an entrance fee and have the majority of what we’ve had on the past than this new thing.
I’m sorry to see what became a tradition fail to continue and hope the decision will be made to return to the state fair grounds.