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Utah man’s Festival of Trees wooden creation raises over $17K for Primary Children’s Hospital

Posted at 1:52 PM, Dec 08, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-08 15:53:50-05

SANDY, Utah - Organizers said they believe the 44th Annual Festival of Trees could be the most successful year yet.

One of the most popular attractions at the festival this year was a wooden contraption created by Paul Newman of Highland.

Newman, who designed the piece with his wife, calls it the "Enchanted Castle."

This carpenter and his crew have designed several of these over the past 25 years.

Newman said, although it doesn't look too much like a Christmas tree, it has quite a few trees in it.

"Some people say, 'Well, it's not a tree but I think it has more wood in it than most trees here do,'" Newman said. "But it's a crowd-pleaser and kids especially love to stand and watch this for a long time."

Newman said his creation sold for more than $17,000 and he plans to make another one next year.

All the trees and items at the South Towne Expo Center  were donated to benefit Primary Children's Hospital.

The 2013 Festival of Trees raised $1.87 million for the hospital.

Officials said the totals from this year's festival won't be available until March.