The Tracy Hospital Foundation is decking some halls in preparation for its 15th annual Festival of Trees, benefiting local families in need and health services.

The foundation’s celebration will start at 10 a.m., Nov. 20 with the Silver Bell Tea Social and end Nov. 22 with an appearance from Santa. All of the festival’s events are at the Tracy Ballroom, 430 W. Ninth St.

Fake Christmas trees, which are decorated by volunteers, loaded with presents and auctioned off, are usually placed in Tracy businesses or donated to nonprofits. Money raised from the festival goes to groups such as CPR for Kids and other health services. Foundation spokeswoman Karen Mudd said the festival usually raises about $100,000 a year, drawing about 5,000 people.

After the Silver Bell Tea Social, there will be the Teddy Bear Tea Party from 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 21 with tickets going for $15 per kid and $20 per adult. For the adults that night, the Ballroom will play host to the Premier Night Soirée at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21. Tickets for the event are $100, with proceeds going to the foundation. The party will have a 1940s nightclub theme and will feature a live auction for specially designed trees.

Santa Claus will make appearances at the festival on Nov. 21 and 22. Papa Elf will be available for pictures and there will also be crafts for kids.

Admission to Santa’s Secret Shop is $2 for kids and $4 for adults and open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21 and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 22. Families can have breakfast with Santa from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Nov. 22. Tickets for that event are $15 for kids and $20 for adults.

There is also a special “Tribute Tree” at the West Valley Mall in honor of the more than 400 Tracy residents serving in the military right now, sponsored by Sutter Tracy Community Hospital emergency room physician Andy Su. Military Moms Tracy has a table near the tree and the group is collecting presents for the troops.

For information: 832-6052.

Contact a Tracy Press reporter or editor at 835-3030 or tpnews@tracypress.com. At a glance: Festival of Trees

All events at Tracy Ballroom, 430 W. Ninth St.

Fri., Nov. 20: 10 a.m. – Silver Bell Tea Social

Sat., Nov. 21: 9 a.m. to noon – Teddy Bear Tea Party; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Santa’s Secret Shop; 6 p.m. – Premier Night Soirée

Sun. Nov. 22: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Family Breakfast with Santa; 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Santa’s Secret Shop