By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — The lights dimmed.

The only illumination was the soft glow of the Christmas trees and holiday lights strung around the room.

Then, the spotlight revealed actress and singer Jessi Little on the stage, clad in a red gown and earrings that sparkled in the light.

Accompanied by just a piano, Little performed the 1950s classic "Santa Baby," but she changed one line to let her audience know what she (actually, what Kootenai Health) would like Santa to bring this Christmas: a da Vinci Surgical System robot.

Little opened the inaugural variety show with that little number during the Kootenai Health Foundation's Festival of Trees Holiday Luncheon at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Monday, an event that attracted more than 450 guests.

"We'll have some singing, dancing and a story or two that we hope will whisk you away into the holiday spirit," Little announced as she introduced the first act.

The variety show evolved from the fashion show, which had been a Festival event for many years. The variety show featured the Dickens Carolers in Victorian garb, children dressed as wooden soldiers, a hula dancer and pajamaed siblings who sang "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." And speaking of Santa, the show included the "international Santas" fashion show, which brought out several community members dressed as Santa figures from countries around the world, including Switzerland, England, Hungary and Japan.

The show was the entertainment highlight of the luncheon, held on the fourth and final day of the 31st annual Festival of Trees. The Festival is an annual holiday celebration and charitable event for the Kootenai Health Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of Kootenai Health.

Last year, $384,502 in funds raised during the Festival went to expansion of the hospital. In years past, beneficiaries have been the emergency department and operating rooms, women's and children's services, cardiac care and neonatal intensive care.

"I love it, and I think supporting (the hospital) is very important," said Rita Holley of Coeur d'Alene, who attended the luncheon with good friend Dale Smith. They wandered around before the show to admire the trees decorated with themes ranging from "The Wild Wild West" to "Jingle Bells and Seashells."

"Let’s face it, you’re looking at just pure beauty here," Holley said. "You’re looking at imagination."

Smith said he enjoys attending Festival functions for "the beauty" and "all the fun people."

"And it’s always fun to give back," he said. "It’s a good cause."

Kootenai Health Foundation President Julie Holt said she was thrilled that so many people came out for the luncheon, even with the slight change to the entertainment.

"We’re sold out. You couldn’t fit another person in this room," she said. “We’re just overwhelmed with the generosity of this community."