Event Information

The Jerome Beillard Festival for Life celebrates 30 years on Saturday, November 17, 2018!

 

The 30th Anniversary of the Jermone Beillard Festival for Life will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at the Tucson Convention Center, Crystal Ballroom.

 

Event Schedule

  • 5:30 pm Registration open
  • 6:00 pm Main Doors Open
  • 7:15 pm-8:00 pm Live Auction  – TBD
  • 8:45 pm- Section 1 Closes
  • 9:15 pm- Section 2 Closes

 

Festival for Life 2012

About Jerome Beillard & Festival for Life

December 8, 1989, was the first Festival of the Trees, a fundraiser for the People with AIDS Coalition of Tucson (P.A.C.T). The event auctioned off nearly 200 decorated trees and wreathes for the holiday season. Over the years, the event grew and in 1992, Festival of the Trees became Festival for Life adding artwork, menorahs, and celebrity items. That year also had a special appearance by Miss Mary Wilson, formerly of the Supremes. In 1995, P.A.C.T.’s co-founder and Executive Director, Jerome Beillard, passed away from AIDS complications and Festival for Life was renamed to the JerA?me Beillard Festival for Life – honoring the work and spirit of a great man. Each year added amazing artwork, designer Christmas trees, gift baskets, celebrity items, and sculptures. Each year also added local sponsors and community members all supporting the same cause.

In 1997, when the three AIDS Service Organizations merged to create the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) – the Paper Prayer Benefit from the Shanti Foundation was added to Festival for Life. Local artists, students, and others create strips of art that represent an ancient Japanese tradition of giving a person who is ill a Paper Prayer as a gift to bring good health. Each year, Festival for Life continues to sell hundreds of Papers to Prayers to be used as cards and tokens of good health.

Over the years, the event has grown and changed, but the main attraction continues to be the collection of fine artwork on display in the live and silent auction. In addition to art, the auction features holiday items, gift baskets, gift certificates, celebrity collectibles, trips, one-of-a-kind experiences and paper prayers. Our guests recognize this great opportunity to find amazing works of art and great gifts, just as the holiday shopping season begins!

2018 Festival for Life Committee

Cindy Joy, Co-Chair

Claire Ortloff, Co-Chair

David Adix

Tom Martin

Karen Robello

 

This event benefits the programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF).

News and Events

  • More Festival Artwork Added!, November 8, 2016

    Check it out…we have just added all kinds of fun new stuff to the Festival for Life Live & Silent Auction items page, including a trip to Napa Valley! With more than 500 items up for bids in the live and silent auctions, you are bound to find a few things that are true must-haves!

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  • Just Announced: Festival for Life Stay & Play package, September 14, 2016

    This year, you can get a room for the evening and enjoy Festival for Life all in one place! Purchase the Stay & Play package, save over 25%, and enjoy Festival for Life without the worry about the drive home. Packages are $189 (Value: $259) and include: 2 admission tickets to Festival for Life 1 […]

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  • Festival 2016…Preview the Artwork, September 8, 2016

    Interested in getting a sneak preview of some of the amazing items up for bids at this year’s Festival for Life? Then check out the auction items page of the Festival website. While many items are featured on the website, this still accounts for only about 10% of all items that will be up for […]

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  • Festival for Life Discounted Tickets Available NOW!, May 25, 2016

    This year’s Festival for Life live and silent auction benefiting SAAF and presented by Long Realty Cares Foundation will take place on Saturday November 19, 2016 at its new location, Desert Diamond Casino & Resort, located at 7350 South Nogales Highway. This year’s event will feature well over 500 items up for bid and we […]

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  • Festival for Life discounted tickets available through October, October 13, 2015

    This year’s Festival for Life live and silent auction benefiting SAAF and presented by Long Realty Cares Foundation will take place on Saturday November 14, 2015 at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, located at 1288 West River Road. This year’s event will feature well over 500 items up for bid and we hope you will […]

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To promote health, well-being, and social justice for those living with
HIV, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities marginalized by society.