Tue Nov, 22 2011 12:00AM-12:00AM Victoria Festival of Trees

For 20 years the Festival of Trees has transformed the storied halls of The Fairmont Empress into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees with a goal of raising much-needed funds for BC Children's Hospital Foundation. The Festival brings together the incredibly generous community of Victoria in what has become a cherished holiday tradition and the unofficial kick-off for Christmas in the city. Every year, sponsors of this event - local businesses, organizations and individuals - decorate the trees in a sometimes wacky, often irreverent, and always beautiful fashion. The trees are then displayed throughout The Fairmont Empress over the holiday season, beginning November 22, 2011 with the kick-off decorating gala, through to January 6, 2012. The Festival of Trees is open to the public, who are encouraged to cast a ballot for their favourite tree. Thousands of Festival visitors cast a vote each year; with each vote they are entered into a draw for the People's Choice Award Citizen Prize. Last year the event received over 10,000 votes and raised in excess of $110,000. Now in its 20th year, the Festival has grown to feature up to 75 trees and been embraced by the community as a treasured family tradition and one of the most anticipated festivals in Victoria.