That's because everything is donated, she says. The trees are decorated and purchased by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and church groups. Items are donated to fill the Gift Boutique, the Sweet Shoppe, the Gingerbread Village and other shops. Businesses provide the paper and printing of posters and tickets. Corporations offer their trucks and drivers to help deliver the trees. And thousands of people donate countless hours of time to make it all come together.

This year a special feature of the festival will be a painting donated by folk artist Eric Dowdle. "We asked if he would do a small piece to put into our auction," says Austin. What they got was a painting that is 56 inches wide and 45 inches tall. It shows all kinds of activities and items experienced at the festival, as well as the first two buildings that housed the hospital and other symbols and people important to the event.

It's something that you could look at for hours and not discover all the hidden treasures, says Austin. A special key to the painting lists 60 items of import.

For example, No. 55 depicts the "Tongan Queen." Several years ago the Queen of Tonga visited the festival and was so impressed she purchased several trees to take home with her. No. 48 shows "those darn penguins"; festival board members refer to anything lost as a "penguin." There are also such things as the "M&Ms Tree," "BYU Cougar Tree," "Pizza Tree," "Utah Utes Tree," the "Families Can Be Together Forever Tree" and a whole bunch more.

Dowdle painted and donated the piece in gratitude for the treatment his young son received at the hospital several years ago. The painting will be auctioned off at the Tuesday night invitation-only opening when the trees are also sold.

Anyone who wants to buy a tree or bid on other auction items can call 213-3272 to get a bid number and an invitation to the opening event.

Another thing that will be different at this year's festival is an expanded Gingerbread Village area. "That's always such a hit," says Austin. "The children, especially, love the gingerbread houses."

There will be children's activities all day long; you can do your Christmas shopping; you can sample all kinds of goodies; you can see incredibly beautiful, creative trees — and every one tells a story. There are so many reasons to come to the festival, says Austin.

But the most important reason of all is for the children.

If you go ...

What:: Festival of Trees

Where: South Town Expo Center, 9575 S. State, Sandy

When: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

How much: adults, $4; children and senior citizens, $3; Wednesday Family Day, $14; 50-cent discount tickets available at all Zion Bank branches.

Web: www.festivaloftreesutah.org

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E-mail: carma@desnews.com