SANDY -- Utah's beloved Festival of Trees opens Wednesday at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy.
Now in its 55th year, the Christmas tradition features more than 500 decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and handmade holiday décor, all benefiting Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital.
Among the hundreds of displays is one very special tree, belonging to 17-year-old Livie Smart, a leukemia survivor and this year's Festival Patient Champion.
"When I was diagnosed, I thought I would possibly die, honestly," said Livie.
At just 14, Livie was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, a rare type of bone marrow cancer.
After initial chemotherapy failed, doctors at Primary Children's Hospital found a bone marrow donor and used an innovative T-cell depletion technique to reduce complications post-transplant.
"Primary Children's is such a great place to be," said Livie. "It honestly feels like a second home to me, and the fact that it was able to help save my life, I just want to give that treatment back to others. It's really special."
Livie's story is symbolic of the heart of the festival, which supports children in need and celebrates the community coming together to make a difference.
"The funds raised at Festival of Trees support a lot of different aspects of care at the hospital," said Dustin Lipson, who is the president of Primary Children's Hospital.
The trees are decorated by families or friends of loved ones, often who have received care at Primary Children's, then those trees are donated to the Festival of Trees to be sold.
It's one of the largest fundraisers for the hospital raising millions of dollars to treat kids.
"Every year you will see displays here that will blow your mind," said Lipson. "It's wonderful to come here and to walk the aisles and really read all about the ways in which the trees arrived here."
However, the real power of this place isn't just the trees and ornaments. It's a reminder that sometimes the brightest holiday lights come from the people who once felt their world go dark.
"Being able to stand here and share my story is honestly incredible," said Livie.
It's proof that the best holiday stories are the ones still being written.
The Festival of Trees takes place Wednesday, Dec. 3 to Saturday, Dec. 6. A silent auction will take place Dec. 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $7 for children 2 to 11-years-old. Children under 2 get in free. Those interested in buying tickets can do so here.