Creating holiday traditions at Fantasy of Trees

On By Littum

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
| Knoxville News Sentinel

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees has been a community and family vacation tradition for nearly four decades. Each year, the Knoxville Convention Center is transformed into a winter wonderland with 350 beautifully designed trees, a gingerbread village, shops and thousands of twinkling lights. Families create memories by creating ornaments, taking photos with Santa, choosing gifts for loved ones and more.

With nearly two million visitors over the past 39 years, many have created their own traditions at Fantasy of Trees. For Jeff Hurst, his holiday hobby at the event has turned into a tradition that is incredibly special to him and his family.

Jeff first attended Fantasy of Trees in the mid-80s and still remembers it to this day.

“As soon as I walked in I was in awe. It was like an explosion of magic and I couldn’t believe the sheer scale of everything! Dark as a winter night inside with endless colors and Christmas lights.”

But what really caught Jeff’s attention was the amazing gingerbread village.

“It was a huge Christmas village, but all handmade! Some looked like the artist’s sculptures and others looked like little children had made them with joy. There were individual houses, village scenes, room settings and pop culture icons. The more I looked, the more details I saw me, but you could always tell that every gum, cookie, and swirl of frosting had been put there in hopes of bringing a smile, warmth, and a bit of wonder into the world.I must have spent an hour on adoring the little gingerbread world, and the joy of that day has never left me.”

Since then, Jeff has made it a tradition to come to Fantasy of Trees with his wife and daughter. But in 2009, he decided he wanted to bring the magic of the gingerbread houses home, so he started taking pictures of each one so they could still enjoy them throughout the season.

“When we got home, I put all those pictures on our computer and put them on as a slide show. It started a tradition. Every year my wife and daughter went straight to the craft while I shot the village so we could all enjoy the slideshow throughout the Christmas season.”

Jeff’s photos now span a decade and are memories he will cherish forever with his family.

“Looking back, I think my favorite part of Fantasy of Trees has been the sense of wonder and amazement at all the work that artisans, artists, organizers and volunteers do to bring joy and help to the Children’s Hospital! I keep taking the pictures because I’m surprised by the little details I notice later and because it lets me capture some Christmas magic and bring it home.”

The magic of Fantasy of Trees doesn’t stop there. The event provides funding for patients at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and has helped raise nearly $12 million since its inception, involving over 100,000 volunteer hours each year. These funds have helped purchase ambulances, equipment, update areas of the hospital and much more.

All funds raised this year will support the area of ​​greatest need. From diapers for NICU patients to large pieces of equipment like a new MRI machine, every dollar makes a positive impact on a child’s life. The hospital’s needs change daily to meet the needs of the children in our region and beyond to deliver expert, customized care plans.

Make your own unforgettable memories and experience the magic of 40th anniversary Fantasy of Trees from Wednesday 27 Novemberth through Sunday 1 DecemberSt. This is a Knoxville holiday event and tradition you don’t want to miss! To purchase your tickets, visit fantasyoftrees.org.

Members of the USA TODAY Network editorial and news staff were not involved in the creation of this content.