SACO — It was a scene that would have thawed the stodgiest Scrooge’s heart.

Dozens gathered before the Saco Museum on Friday night, waiting for the doors to open on the seventh annual Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for the museum and Dyer Library that moonlights as a showcase for Christmas-turned-art: Scores of trees and wreaths, bedecked with the creative whims of local designers, turned the museum’s main showroom into a kaleidoscope of color and light.

But before the attendees were allowed entry, Museum Director Jessica Skwire Routhier appeared on the building’s front steps to lead the gathering in a peaceful verse of “Joy to the World,” voices carrying softly on a pleasant November chill.

It was a nod to this year’s theme, “Let Heaven and Nature Sing,” a line from the old holiday chestnut. And as visitors made their way from tree to tree, and wreath to wreath, the striking visuals were enhanced by audio: Mostly “oohs,” a few “awws,” and a flurry of excited chatter.

The kickoff to the festival was the result of hours of work and foresight, with Routhier and the other event planners working not only around the clock, but around the calendar: The group that plans the event each year first met this past January, and continued meeting once a month until two weeks ago, when preparations kicked into overdrive.

“It takes an incredible amount of planning,” said Routhier. “The two weeks that led up to tonight were just a ton of work.”

With trees provided by the museum, local artists and designers went to work, each pursuing a motif unique to their sensibilities. Second-year participant Danielle Goulet, who said she spent about six to seven hours decorating her tree with whites and rustic gold tones, found inspiration from the memory of her brother, who passed away last year.

“Last year, the tree was a tribute to my brother,” said Goulet. “This year, I wanted to keep him incorporated somehow. He was definitely my motivation.”

While Goulet’s tree was stately, others were whimsical. Judy Wallace, participating in her sixth Festival of Trees, decked out her creation with candy ornaments: Artificial mints, candy canes, and other assorted goodies gave the finished product a strong red-and-white sheen that reflected light like pieces of glass.

It was no surprise that the tree was popular with children: Wallace’s inspiration was her grandchildren.

“We have 13 of them,” she said, “and I thought this would be a tree they would all love.”

While Wallace will take the tree home with her shortly before Christmas, she was delighted at the reaction from the curious throngs in the showroom.

“It’s fun to make something that gives people pleasure,” she said.

Dennis Desrosiers, now in his sixth festival, outfitted his tree with materials culled from craft outlets and department stores throughout the course of the year. The result was a product that was notable for a strong presence of ocean blue.

“I’ve done all the other colors, so I figured I’d try blue,” said Desrosiers. “I just love doing it. I love Christmas, and I love to see peoples’ faces when they come in.”

Among the faces was that of young Lila Musgrave, who stood wide-eyed as she took in the sparkling array. Her grandmother, Jan Caron, wasn’t about to miss her fourth straight year attending the festival’s opening reception.

“We come here every year,” said Caron. “We always catch the first night. It’s just a nice, festive community event.”

And Friday night was just the beginning.

A gala will be held at the museum on Dec. 17 from 6-9 p.m., featuring holiday treats, decorations, music and the culmination of the raffle. Tickets for the gala are $30 each, with limited space available.

All other festival events are free, including a children’s crafts day on Dec. 3, Gingerbread Tea with Mrs. Claus on Dec. 10, and an ornament-making workshop with Wallace on Dec. 11. Full details of these events can be found at sacomuseum.org.

All trees will be on display until the raffle, after which time select trees will remain visible until Dec. 31.

And then? Well, Routhier and company will start planning on the 2012 festival, never easing up on the gas. It’s tiring work, said Routhier, but worth it in the end.

“Evenings like this remind you of why you’re doing it,” she said. “You remember that it really is kind of special.”

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 319, or at jlagasse@journaltribune.com.