PROCTORVILLE — With the Christmas season kicking off, the Festival of Trees opens today at Ohio University Southern’s Proctorville center.

The event, organized by Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce director Shirley Dyer, features more than 30 trees, decorated by area businesses, individuals and third graders from local schools. The trees went up earlier this week, and a reception was hosted Wednesday.

Dyer said the work of getting the displays ready was a great social experience.

“It has been a wonderful community event putting these up,” she said. “Now, we hope the community will come out to see them.”

Each tree is decorated with a different theme, such as candy, snowmen, football teams and monarch butterflies. One is even decked out in repurposed items found in the trash.

Dyer said she was happy with the results.

“Each one is original and we’re very pleased with the outcome,” she said.

The festival starts at 2 p.m. today and runs to 8 p.m. It will be open again from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and on Saturday, which will be dedicated to children.

Breakfast with Santa is scheduled from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, with photos available after.

Proceeds from the festival will go to an endowed scholarship at Ohio University. All of the trees will be sold through a silent auction, with winners announced at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dyer said the chamber would like to thank their sponsors for the event, which included Cabell Huntington Hospital, the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, Quality Care Nursing Services and St. Mary’s Medical Center.