PROVO — Christmas is more than a month away, but a local shopping center is getting into the holiday spirit early with tons of trees decked out for the season.

Starting Friday, The Shops at Riverwoods will display more than 35 Christmas trees from across the county as part of Utah Valley's first Celebration of Trees.

"Over the years I've had lots of people ask me if we could do something fun for the holidays that would go towards a good cause," said Juli Wright, general manager at the Riverwoods.

"We decided this would be something enjoyable for everyone."

While the shopping center has hosted an annual lighting ceremony of its outdoor trees the Friday before Thanksgiving for seven years, this is the first year the Riverwoods will showcase Christmas trees.

Local business and individuals decorated the trees on display in a 6,000-square-foot showroom off the center's main street. Riverwoods retailers will also display their own trees in their stores.

All the trees will be distinctly different, Wright said.

One local construction company has opted to decorate its trees with the cartoon construction worker "Bob the Builder." And others will load theirs with free products and gift certificates.

"Everyone is being really creative and expressive," Wright said. "It's going to be really cool."

Like the annual Festival of Trees at the South Towne Expo Center, the Provo event will offer visitors the opportunity to bid on trees for purchase. A final auction will be Dec. 4.

Highest bidders will take home a tree and gifts from Riverwoods merchants. But more importantly, Wright points out, they'll know they're helping others.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Food and Care Coalition, a local charity that assists homeless and low-income individuals and families.

The organization plans on putting the funds toward an expansion project, which will include a dental clinic and an expanded dining room, and the creation of new community partnerships.

"Anytime somebody volunteers to help expand and further your mission, we're always grateful for that — as opposed to having to go out and beat the bushes, so to speak," Crane said. "We think it's going to be a wonderful event. We're tickled to be the recipient charity this year."

Tickets for the festival are $4 per person or $10 per family. All visitors will be entered in a raffle to win a Caribbean cruise for two or a $1,000 shopping spree.

In addition to the display trees, smaller trees and wreaths will also be available for purchase.

For more information, contact The Shops at Riverwoods at 802-8430.

---

If you go

What: Celebration of Trees

Where: Shops at Riverwoods, 4801 N. University Ave.

When: Nov. 19 - Dec. 4

Cost: $4 per person, $10 per family

A final public auction of trees will be Dec. 4

---

E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com