More than 40 decorated Christmas trees will be on display during the fifth annual Festival of Trees at the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church on Main Street.

The event will run through Dec. 12 with events scheduled each day. The Festival of Trees will be open between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The festival, which is free to the public except for meals, has raised more than $20,000 in donations in the past four years to give back to the community through local organizations and charities.

Westbrook resident Pat Wilson started the Festival of Trees in 2001 to honor her mother, Beatrice M. Elwell. Wilson continues to organize the festival with the help of volunteers each year.

Since its inception, the event has helped to raise money through donations from tree sponsors and private gifts. This year’s festival will help benefit Westbrook Together Days 2006, the Westbrook Food Pantry, Mission Possible and Healthy Families Partnership/Youth Alternatives.

This year’s festival will feature a blend of entertainment and showcase trees sponsored by local businesses, organizations and private donors.

The Festival of Trees features entertainment almost every evening of the event, including tea parties, live music and food.

“It’s going to be nice this year,” said Wilson. “We’re on two floors for the first time this year thanks to an elevator in the church, making it easier for everyone.”

Paul Corbett, the Westbrook Police Department and the Maine Garden Railroad Society are co-sponsoring the festival’s own Polar Express, to be held on the first floor of the Congregational Church. The Polar Express, set up largely from Corbett’s own collection, will be on display with other trees on the first floor for viewing. Corbett will be on hand in the afternoon between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9.

Other events this year include a new gingerbread house and outdoor Christmas decorations raffle to be drawn on Dec. 9. Westbrook vocational students will decorate the gingerbread house along with Christmas decorations fashioned by Sally LaBrecque. Tickets are $1 each or three for $2. All proceeds will help go to support the festival’s fundraising endeavors.

The annual Tips for Charity luncheon, on Friday, Dec. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will feature various Westbrook dignitaries waiting on tables to raise money for charity. Last year’s participants raised nearly $2,000 in profit from the event. Tickets are by reservation only and available from Wilson at 854-4147.

Additional events include a mystery gift tree and bean supper on Dec. 10 and a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 12.

Volunteers are still needed to greet guests at the festival each day through Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering for two-hour time slot should contact Sonya O’Malley at 874-5725.

“The people who have worked on this committee deserve a lot of praise,” Wilson added. “But I would like to see some people come forward from the community and say, ‘gee, I’d like to help out with that.'”

Anyone needing more information on the festival or ways to get involved are encouraged to call as well as visit the festival’s Web site, www.westbrookwarren.com/festivaloftrees/index.htm.

Schedule of events

Thursday, Dec. 8: Senior luncheon, 12 noon

Boy Scout Night, 6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9: Tips for Charity Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Choir cabaret, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10:Mystery Gift tree, 10 a.m.

Bean supper, 5 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 12: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, 1-3 p.m.