Tickets go on sale Oct. 9 for annual CARTI Festival of Trees

The Sugar Plum Ball is among the events planned during the CARTI Little Rock Auxiliary Festival of Trees.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 9, for the 42nd annual, three-day CARTI Little Rock Auxiliary Festival of Trees. Online ticket sales for all events begin at 9 a.m.

This year’s theme, “A CARTI Christmas,” unites the individual events centered around seasonal celebrations that benefit CARTI and its statewide network of cancer care facilities.

A “forest” of elaborately decorated trees once again serves as the focal point of the festival. Free general viewing, “Stroll Through the Forest,” is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16.

Official Festival of Trees events include:

Sugar Plum Ball. Visions of sugar plums dance not only in the head, but also on the dance floor at this classic daddy-daughter date night. Each little princess and her Prince Charming step into a storybook setting for an evening of dining, dancing, tiaras, party favors and ballet dancers, all while mixing and mingling with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as the newly crowned Mrs. Arkansas. It will be held 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15. Tickets are $50 each. A limited number of reserved tables for 10 are $1,000. Ticket sales are limited and typically sell out early.

Festival of Fashion. Enjoy the hustle and excitement of a professional runway show in the tradition of New York Fashion Week as you get an up-close look at the latest styles and trends from Arkansas’ chicest local boutiques. We will also honor 2018 Style Icon Stephanie Duty, who has been involved with Festival of Trees for more than 20 years, serving this year as live auction chair. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, and the show begins at 6:30. Tickets are $50 each. A block of 10 seats is available for $500, and a limited number of VIP box of 10 seats are available for $1,000.

Tux ‘n Trees. All the splendor of the season comes into view in a celebration of traditional holiday elegance at one of Central Arkansas’ premier holiday events. Live and silent auctions showcase an evening filled with fine dining and dancing to live entertainment by Dizzy 7 as the CARTI Little Rock Auxiliary honors its original four radiation oncologists: Dr. D.R. and Ann Harris, Dr. Ducote and Susie Haynes, Dr. Bob and Joyce Landgren, and Dr. Al and Fran Nelson. Festival of Trees’ premier gala is 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, Tickets are $250 each, and reserved tables of 10 are $2,500.

All three events will be held in the Wally Allen Ballroom in the Statehouse Convention Center.

Since its debut in 1977, the CARTI Little Rock Auxiliary has put on one of the most spectacular fund-raising events in the state, raising more than $7 million for CARTI and the cancer patients of Arkansas. Festival of Trees, a three-day festival held at the Statehouse Convention Center, features decorated trees and offers some of the most unique special events for children and adults. Each year more than 4,000 people attend these events. Funds from CARTI’s Festival of Trees provide cancer patients with transportation, housing, emotional counseling, massage therapy, nutritional supplements and much more.

For more information on Festival of Trees or to sponsor, please contact Michaela Johnson at 501.660.7616 or [email protected]. The complete schedule and tickets are available at CARTI.com.