SACO — Local artist Dennis Dennett stood in the glow of his Christmas tree, its white ribbons reflecting back a kaleidoscope of color from the merry creations surrounding it, surveying his work. This, he had told himself, would be the last year he’d create an original designer tree for the Saco Museum’s Festival of Trees.

Of course, he told himself the same thing last year.

Chalk it up to an uncontrollable creative impulse. In past years, Dennett has designed his trees around a color: Blue last year, gold the year before, and so on, going back eight years now. This year, he decided to base the theme of his tree on a lack of color ”“ or at least a color more natural, more “earthy,” than his previous attempts. Hence the simple white ribbons and muted white lights, which suck up the green of the pine needles and spit it back out in an ethereal, emerald cloud.

It was Friday night at the Saco Museum, and there were “oohs” and “ahs” aplenty.

Dennett’s tree was but one of a score of festively festooned evergreens filling the museum’s main gallery space, and as it has done for years, the kickoff to the weeks-long festival provided a showcase for artists, citizens, museum staff, and even Girl Scout troops to display their decorating chops. Trees ranged from traditional to whimsical, conservative to outlandish.

“It’s not your regular grandmother’s tree anymore,” said Dennett.

And therein lies the appeal. First-time visitors often find reasons to come back for subsequent celebrations ”“ like Sue Glidden, who drove down from Bangor to spend the weekend in Saco with her family and take in the festivities.

“We came last year, so we wanted to make sure we came down again this year,” said Glidden, a 1-year-old grandchild slung underneath one forearm. “They did a really good job.”

Camille Smalley, collections and research manager at the museum, would have been glad to hear it. Smalley, who has been involved with the festival for the past several celebrations, is nearing the end of her first year as chairperson of the Festival of Trees Committee, and has been meeting monthly with various subcommittees to iron out the details. One notable change from last year: The “gala” has been renamed the “Seasonal Celebration Evening,” and will take place at the museum on Nov. 30 from 6-9 p.m., at the beginning of the season rather than the middle of December, as was customary.

“Holding it in the middle of the month, you run into other peoples’ holiday celebrations,” said Smalley. This way, more people get a chance to participate.

The theme of the 2012 festival, “Olden Times and Ancient Rhymes,” was culled from the Charlie Brown Christmas special, and while tree designers were encouraged to follow that theme, they were under no obligation; this flexibility helps explain the giant snowman head capping off one tree, and the unopened boxes of Hot Wheels cars hung in another.

Groups and organizations that contributed tree designs include Saco Spirit, The Rotary Club of Saco, Heart of Biddeford, the Ferry Beach Park Association, the Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center, Girl Scout Troop No. 2152 and Community Caring Kids.

It was a lot of work, said Smalley, but worth it.

“I just look forward to having a great seasonal event that brings people to the museum,” she said. “Seeing people celebrating is what keeps me going.”

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