Host Chris Postin sits down with Denise Gerstenberger, executive director of Discovery Depot Children’s Museum.

First up: the 26th annual Festival of Trees gala on Wednesday, Dec. 4 — the museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Live and silent auctions, a record 44 sponsors, hundreds of donated items and greenery galore — every dollar raised funds 2026 operations and keeps admission prices from rising.

Discovery Depot is also now leading the Galesburg Express on Saturday, Dec. 13: free donuts with Santa at the museum from 8-10 a.m., downtown crafts, hot cocoa stops, a holiday market, pub crawl for adults and a free showing of “The Polar Express” at the Orpheum Theatre.

Denise explains why a Discovery Depot membership is the smartest (and most popular) Christmas gift in town — it pays for itself in just two visits.

Plus a quick look ahead: Starting in mid-January, the entire second floor becomes the Wild Kratts: Creature Power® exhibit through May — the museum’s most expensive traveling show ever, with no price increase for visitors and a major regional tourism push.

Links:

• Festival of Trees tickets, memberships & more → discoverydepot.org

• Silent auction & live auction preview → Festival of Trees Facebook

• Questions? Call Discovery Depot: 309-344-8876