Thirteen was definitely a lucky year for the Humboldt Festival of Wreaths.
The 13th annual event, which wrapped up with a live auction on December 6, raised $6,700 for the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery's renovation of the Merchants Bank of Canada building on Main Street.
"We're really excited about that. It's wonderful and very appreciated," said Jennifer Hoesgen, director of the HDMG.
The Festival, which was organized by the Friends of the Museum, featured approximately 125 items for sale through silent and live auctions. All the auctions wrapped up the evening of December 6.
The items donated this year ranged from wreaths of all shapes and sizes to centrepieces to quilted items, baked goods, photography, tea sets and much more, all donated by area businesses or individuals.
Both the number of items and the funds raised from their sale is up this year from last. In 2011, $6,300 was raised from the sale of 117 donated items.
All the funds will go towards the renovations of the Merchants Bank of Canada building, which came under the direction of the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery last year.
The renovations, split into two phases, surround turning the building into an accessible public venue.
The project is still in Phase 1, and at this point in time, crews are finishing the installation of the sprinkler system, constructing interior walls, and putting the finishing touches on the newly-installed elevator and on the new heating, venting and air conditioning system.
Phase 2 of the project involves the finishing of the interior space - installing lighting and new flooring, and painting.
They have to finish the systems first, noted Hoesgen, before they get into finishing the exhibit space.
The funds from the Festival of Wreaths, along with a huge $30,000 donation from Conexus, will go a long way towards seeing these renovations completed, Hoesgen agreed.
