FILE - The Festival of Trees will be back this year, after a pandemic-induced hiatus.

Hospice of Redmond will hold its 37th annual Festival of Trees as a tour rather than an event.

“We understand the impact COVID-19 has had on our community and feel strongly about continuing the tradition of Festival of Trees,” said Karla Stead, executive director of Hospice of Redmond, in a press release. “Many Central Oregonians have voiced their excitement in being able to participate in this longtime tradition despite current restrictions safely.”

The Festival of Trees is a fundraising event supporting hospice services for the uninsured and terminally ill.

The auction of the 25 trees decorated by local businesses and individuals will take place through an online and televised event. Online bidding runs Dec. 1-5, and the televised auction will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 on CBS/KBNZ.

Many of the trees are available for viewing in local businesses through Dec. 5.

Several downtown businesses are hosting the decorated trees, including Ida’s Cupcakes, Herringbone Books, Love Bird Yoga, The Printing Post and Plus Property Management. Many of the trees include gift baskets, gift cards and other extras.

Eric Sande, executive director of the Redmond Chamber of Commerce, applauded the decision to take the event to the community, particularly Redmond’s small businesses.

“Hospice has done an excellent job taking what could have been a show stopper and embraced the challenge and philosophy that the show must go on,” said Sande, who decorated the “Christmas Cactus” tree displayed at Hospice of Redmond. “The Festival of Trees is a much loved event and by having local businesses host the trees, gives people the opportunity to view, bid and creates a win, win for everyone.”

The committee which decided on the new approach wanted to involve the community and also encourage support for local businesses “while maintaining safe distancing,” according to a press release from Hospice of Redmond.

“Local business need the community to remember them during these challenging times and they need customers to keep their doors open. ‘Think local, buy local and support one another’ is what a small town community like Redmond is all about,” said Sande. “I hope everyone has a chance to see the incredible trees and to support Hospice and our great local businesses.”

Hospice of Redmond provides a variety of services for terminally ill people and their families, including bereavement counseling, the “Transitions” program for people with life-limiting illnesses and Camp Sunrise, an annual grief camp for children throughout Central Oregon.

As the tradition adjusts to accommodate the needs of the year, Jan McGuire, operations manager at Hospice of Redmond, quoted in a press release, focused on what stays the same: “We hope that Tour of Trees brings joy and Christmas spirit to our community.”

For more information about Tour of Trees 2020, contact Hospice of Redmond at 541-548-7483 or email festivaloftrees@hospiceofredmond.org.

To view the trees online visit touroftrees2020.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse

The full list of hosts:

1. Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards (online viewing only)

2. Edward Jones — 655 NW Greenwood Ave, Suite 4

3. In The Garden Florist & Gifts — 636 NW 6th Street, #A

4. Redmond Fire & Rescue — 341 NW Dogwood Avenue

5. U.S. Bank — Redmond — 314 SW 6th Street

6. PLUS Property Management, LLC — 361 SW 6th St.

7. City of Redmond — City Hall — 411 SW 9th St. (online or distance viewing only)

8. Love Bird Yoga — 418 SW 6th Street

9. Herringbone Books — 422 SW 6th Street

10. Ida’s Cupcakes of Redmond — 445 SW 6th Street

11. The Printing Post — 498 SW 6th Street, Ste 101

12. General Duffy’s — 404 SW Forest Avenue

13. 7th Street Brewhouse — 855 SW 7th Street

14. Renew Esthetics and Med Spa — 1060 SE Lake Rd

15. Legacy Realty LLC — 3305 S Hwy 97

16. Redmond Coffee Company — 3716 SW 21st Place

17. Desert Peaks Health Care — 1555 SW Reindeer Ave.

18. Yo Wild — 915 SW Rimrock Way

19. Redmond Dental Group — 1765 SW Parkway Drive

20. Select Care Dental — 774 SW Rimrock Way

21-23. Hospice of Redmond — 732 SW 23rd Street

24. Sisters Meat & Smokehouse — 110 S. Spruce St, Sisters (online or during business hours only)

25. Home Instead Senior Care — 20380 Halfway Road, Suite C, Bend