Jubilee of Trees unveils new artistic look

ST. GEORGE — Whether your aesthetic is design, confectionary, performance, architecture, or you’re just a fan of beauty in general, the Jubilee of Trees, which runs Nov. 20-24 at the Dixie Center St. George, is a well-rounded delight for the appreciators of art. It’s also sure to ignite your holiday spirit.

Jubilee of Trees 

Returning for its 34th year, the Jubilee of Trees is a tradition celebrated by thousands throughout Southern Utah and serves to raise funds for Intermountain Healthcare’s Dixie Regional Medical Center. This year, proceeds of the Jubilee are aimed at improving cancer services in Southern Utah, as well as the major expansion of the River Road campus.

sketch
Artists have worked countless hours using designs like this to create life-sized storefronts ranging from about 10 to 27 feet in height for the Jubilee | Sketch courtesy of the Jubilee of Trees, St. George News

The Jubilee of Trees is renown for its creatively decorated trees, auctioned off during the gala, and special events, starting with the Bar J’s, Bells and Boots Concert the eve of the Jubilee’s opening, followed by Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, Gala Dinner and Auction, Teddy Bear Picnic and more special events sprinkled throughout the Jubilee.

See full calendar of events linked here.

New look

This year, one of the single greatest artistic endeavors in the Jubilee’s storied history is a “new look” being unveiled this year.

“We have a complete renovation underway to the infrastructure and architecture of the Jubilee,” Intermountain Foundation’s Ken Wilson said.  “Rosalie Scholes and the amazing team of artisans she has marshaled are completely transforming the set into a life-size replica of a quaint Alpine village. I promise it will delight and impress.”

The outlying buildings and walls of the new décor are several stories high and reach more than 25 feet in places.  They boast high-pitched roofs, shuttered windows, and hand-painted façades that encapsulate the essence of turn of the century charm and craftsmanship.

“Between planning, building, prepping, painting, engineering, assembling and decorating, there have been about 30 volunteers involved in this project,” Scholes said.  “When I say it has turned out beautifully, I’m bragging our volunteers. The way they have worked together and the end result is amazing.  It’s just amazing.”

The details of the new set that will not go unnoticed are thanks in large part to a team of artists who have hand-painted the shoppe fronts and other village structures giving them each a unique look. Among the talented volunteer painters who have leant their talents to the transformation are Louise Crosby, Jean Jones, Kay Miner, Bill Sherwin, and Jerry Wind.

“Each storefront tells a story and each building cleverly incorporates Jubilee services,” Scholes said.

For example, tucked beneath the towering 27-foot church steeple is the entry to the Church Bazaar where the Dixie Regional Medical Center Guild peddles their lost art of handcrafted wares.  The Gingerbread Shoppe, constructed of gingerbread-inspired wood beams, has frosted windows that display sweet art of another kind. Likewise, the town bakery is brimming with plates of culinary works of art. The village hospital is where the Jubilee shares the message of this year’s cause -improving cancer care in southern Utah.

Jubilee Jerry
Artist Jerry Wind marks detail to begin the design of one of the Jubilee shop facades, St. George, undated | Photo courtesy of the Jubilee of Trees, St. George News

In addition to the artistic displays ranging from chocolate to crochet is the Jubilee’s full line-up of performing art. For those looking to be entertained and inspired by talented performers, the main stage at the Jubilee offers continuous entertainment by local artists, companies, choirs, and school groups. A special performance by Diamond Talent is scheduled for Nov. 24 from 6-8 p.m. for the Festive Family Fun Night.

Jubilee in Concert

The big show-stopper is the “Jubilee in Concert, A Night of Utah Stars” slated for Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.  The concert is free with general admission and boasts seven high-caliber performers with notable national reputations.

On the bill for Saturday are Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller, Tony-awarded winning vocalist and Broadway veteran; Carmen Rasmusen Herbert, country vocalist and TV’s “American Idol” finalist Brodie Perry, a leading man in productions at Tuacahn, Dixie State, and Broadway West; Ben Hale, who currently stars as Johnny Cash in the Las Vegas production of “Million Dollar Quartet”; Shayla Osborn Beck, a Dixie High graduate and Tuacahn regular who just completed the national tour of “Wicked”; Lyndy Butler, a local singer/songwriter with an eclectic flair and a loyal following; and James Royce Edwards who has toured with national Broadway productions and stared in Tuacahn’s productions of “Tarzan” and “The Little Mermaid.”

“We wanted to draw from the amazing wealth of talent in Utah,” event coordinator Kerry Perry said. “Everyone in the show has some roots to our state, and they offer a little taste of everything.”

Perry added that this is the second year for the concert that helped draw great crowds last year.

“It was a hit last year and we just want to build on that success,” Perry said. “We want the ‘Jubilee in Concert’ to be an annual event that offers a little taste for everyone, and everyone leaves with a smile on their face.”

Volunteers

Ken Wilson commended dedicated volunteers for the countless hours in which they share their talents with the Jubilee of Trees.

It is evidence that this is a community that cares about one another, and the health and well-being of their friends, family, and neighbor,” Wilson said.

Event details and resources

  • What: Jubilee of Trees
  • When: Nov. 20-24 daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on Friday when the festival closes at 4 p.m.
  • Where: Dixie Center St. George, 1835 South Convention Center Drive, St. George.
  • Jubilee of Trees website | calendar of events

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Twitter: @STGnews

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