Staff photo / Bob Coupland Marilyn Roth of Austintown admires one of the 40 trees on display at the annual Festival of Trees at the National McKinley Birthplace Museum in downtown Niles. The trees will be displayed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays through Dec. 27, and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 during the McKinley Christmas celebration.

NILES — The talents of local organizations and groups are being showcased this month at the annual Festival of Trees at the National McKinley Birthplace Museum in downtown Niles.

The free festival features 40 trees that will be displayed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays through Dec. 27, and noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 during the McKinley Christmas celebration, which allows people to stop at different locations in the city.

Belinda Weiss, director of the National McKinley Birthplace Museum, said this is the third year she has coordinated the festival.

“A lot of groups that participated in the past two years came back this year. I also had some new groups this year. I allow each group to be creative and have any holiday theme. They provide their own trees and decorations,” Weiss said.

Participants include historical societies, businesses, clubs and churches. Weiss said the public can vote for their top three favorites.

“We want people to come here and enjoy the trees. I hope they come here and then take with them a little of the Christmas spirit. I hope this gets everyone in the mood for the holidays. We try to expand it every year,” she said.

Weiss said the Youngstown Blue Coats have a tree and are also collecting coats and blankets to those in need at the display.

Wreaths Across America, which will be marked at noon Dec. 14 at the Niles City Cemetery, has a display at the festival.

Weiss said Niles Community Services is collecting toys at the event.

“We want to help give back to the community and help in whatever way we can,” she said.

Weiss said there also are vintage Christmas decorations and a Christmas village display with a train.

Mary Jane Vennitti of the Howland Historical Society said the society chose to do a Grinch-themed tree.

“We wanted to decorate a tree differently this year. Last year, we had a 50s themed tree and a turn-of-the century tree. We try to be different,” Vennitti said.

Marilyn Roth of Austintown said she remembers coming to the museum when she was a child for school field trips in third and fourth grades and enjoys coming to see the tree display.

“We like looking at the decorated trees and seeing the monument,” Roth said.

Sharon Roth of Austintown, said they traveled through Niles to go to the Eastwood Mall and wanted to stop and see the holiday tree display.

Stephanie Furano of Niles and with the GFWC Ohio Junior Cyberlinks Club decorated a tree with a patriotic theme and wreaths to help promote Wreaths Across America.

She said there is sponsorship of 1,600 wreaths for Wreaths Across America to honor the veterans and their families.