The Ponoka Festival of Trees was once again a huge success this year, raising money to improve the Ponoka Hospital.

The 3rd annual festival raised $103,000 the most the festival has ever raised in a single year.

Board member Sherry Gummow says the support they received from the community was outstanding.

"Our two top items again were the Glory River Lodge fishing trips and we just had the right people in the audience, so they went for more than they did in 2015. That was really unforseen."

This years donation to the Ponoka and District Health Foundation will be put towards improving the Endoscopy department at the hospital.

Gummow says the $103,000 raised was more than they had anticipated.

"The economy is challenging, but our sponsors have been very very supportive. The community has been supportive. The first Thursday night when our live auction was up from last year, we were hoping thing would continue in that trend and they did."

To date the Festival has now raised almost $240,000, all of which has gone to improving the Ponoka Hospital.