FAIRFIELD -- Classical music played quietly from speakers inside Prescott Memorial Hall on the campus of Good Will-Hinckley this past week as organizers of the 17th annual Festival of Trees prepared for opening-day festivities.

The homes and schools for girls and boys host the free annual holiday festival, with 24 uniquely decorated trees in the hall's Bishop Auditorium on U.S. Route 201.

The festival runs Dec. 7-14.

"This year we have a different theme. It's called the Golden Christmas this year," event coordinator Lisa McGowan said. "The stage is decorated all with gold decorations, and we have 24 trees altogether. We usually have 20."

Included is the Tree of Hope, decorated by students at Good Will-Hinckley, she said.

"Each year we do this event to give back to the community," McGowan said. "It's a way for us to offer a free event for the community to come in and have a kickoff for the holiday season and as a way to say 'thank you' for the year of support for the school."

Doors will open Dec. 7 with the traditional opening-day brunch and tree-lighting ceremony, followed by six days of holiday fun for all ages.

"For 17 years, thousands of local community members have used the Festival of Trees as the official start to their holiday season," said Susan Roy, Good Will-Hinckley associate director of development. "During the morning hours, schools and day care centers bring hundreds of children to view the trees and share their Christmas wishes with Santa.

"In the evenings, the auditorium is filled with families and friends as they enjoy a medley of holiday entertainment."

Opening-day brunch seatings on Dec. 7 are scheduled for 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Tickets are required.

For tickets to the brunch or for more information, call 238-4280.

The official tree lighting is set for 3 p.m. Dec. 7.

Visitors can meet Santa Claus from noon to 5 p.m. that day and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays.

Viewing of all the decorated trees inside the hall can be done 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 13. Weekday viewings are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Live entertainment is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays.

Also, music can be enjoyed noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 13.

There also will be a silent auction of hand-carved wooden and hand-painted tole ornaments.

McGowan said several new groups and businesses have decorated trees for this year's festival.

The Bankery, a new bakery in a former bank on Water Street in Skowhegan, has an entry bearing gingerbread figures and edible snowflake cookies and a display of early bread-making tools and equipment. Also new to the Festival of Trees this year is a tree decorated by What's For Supper Restaurant of Norridgewock.

Also offering decorated trees for the festival are the Augusta Nature Club, the Bloomfield Garden Club, the Waterville Community Garden Club, Skills Inc., the town of Fairfield and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Waterville.

Doug Harlow -- 474-9534, ext. 342

dharlow@centralmaine.com