The magic, beauty, and joy of Christmas will shine brightly again this year at the Springfield Boys and Girls Club’s 9th Annual Festival of Trees.

More than 100 donated trees with unique themes will dazzle visitors inside a room in Tower Square over a three-week period from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13.

“It’s become an event families and companies look forward to every year,” said Barbara Kolosowski, director of development for the club. “It brings out the kid in all of us, from the sponsors who decorate the trees to the visitors, who come from as far away as Boston, New York, the Berkshires, and the Hartford, Conn. area.”

The festival was inagurated in 2000, when 25 decorated trees were displayed in the old Basketball Hall of Fame. Last year, almost 8,000 people visited the display, and, despite the sharp downturn in the economy, the event raised $42,000 for the Boys and Girls Club.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” said Kolosowski. “We raised $2,000 more than we expected.”

This year, organizers anticipate that more than 100 trees will be donated, with the majority of sponsors returning. Kolosowski said the economy has not seemed to negatively impact the affair, which is competitive, with donors vying to win the titles of ‘Most Original,’ ‘Most Beautiful,’ and ‘Best Children’s Tree.’

The public votes on the trees, which encompass a wide variety of themes. “The companies and families who donate the trees are hoping to win the public’s eye, not just because they want their tree to be seen, but also because they want their tree to stand out and be noteworthy,” said Kolosowski. “Every year we see people upping the ante. It’s part of what makes it exciting.”

Excitement is also generated by the fact that the trees can be won via a Chinese-style raffle. Visitors buy raffle tickets, which cost $10 for 25 chances, and deposit them in containers placed in front of each tree. The drawing is held immediately after the festival closes Dec. 13, and the lucky winners get to take home the tree and everything hanging from its branches or nestled beneath.

Kolosowski said the trees are valued at up to $2,000. Many have gift certificates strung from their branches, while others have piles of gifts around them. “What makes it so exciting for people is the anticipation that they may win a tree.”

Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. Active military personnel and their families and children under 12 are admitted free. Hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free for guests who park at Tower Square and bring their tickets to be validated.

There is no charge for business professionals on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. if they show a business card or company badge. “It’s a great time for business people to have the opportunity to come through, and is our way of introducing people to the festival who have not been here before,” said Kolosowski. “It’s also a way to thank them for their support.”

A raffle prize is drawn at the end of each business day.

The festival will feature entertainment by a variety of groups, ranging from school choruses to Maryann’s Dance Studio. People are invited to visit www.treefest.com for the schedule. “Santa will also travel all the way from the North Pole to spend some time with the good folks of Greater Springfield and the surrounding communities, with a few guest appearances by Mrs. Santa,” said Kolosowski.

This year, tree themes run the gamut, and include: ‘Blue Christmas,’ created by Freedom Credit Union; ‘Aviator’s Holiday,’ decorated by the Hamilton Standard Young Professionals; ‘The Winter Wonderland Tree’ by Mass Power; ‘It’s Snow Much Fun,’ by the Gagne and Hanechak families; and ‘A Celebration of Love,’ donated by the Matchmaking Co.

Some trees don’t have a theme, but still capture the public’s attention and imagination, and receive bids because of their exquisite decor or traditional charm. “Some people just want to enjoy the beauty of a tree and the celebration of the holiday itself,” Kolosowski said.

When people walk through the doors, they are transported into a world where thousands of lights shine from a fantasy land of decorated trees. There’s also a train that chugs around a set of tracks, donated by the Pioneer Valley Hobby Shop.

“People are totally awestruck. Even if they have been here before, they keep telling me it gets better and better every year. We just love to hear that,” Kolosowski said.

All of the proceeds raised go directly to the Boys and Girls Club, which serves 2,200 children each year, said Kolosowski. “But the festival is not just about raising money for kids. It’s also a way for people who come to the event to understand what the organization does. We provide educational, recreational, and mentoring leadership programs. But most importantly, we provide a positive place for kids to be after school and during summer and school vacations.”

Statistics show that the hours after school are the time when young people are most likely to get into trouble. “If it wasn’t for youth programs like the Boys and Girls Club, many of these kids could be at risk,” Kolosowski said.

“If you are looking for an inexpensive, fun holiday event,” she continued, “this will put you in the holiday mood and do a lot of good for a lot of kids.”