Jane Landreth, right, a preschooler at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., studies a tree she and her classmates decorated for the Festival of Trees in November 2007. The event takes place at Liberty Hall, 642 Mass.

Liberty Hall was a winter wonderland Tuesday evening for the 21st annual Festival of Trees auction.

The event benefits The Shelter Inc., which serves abused and neglected children and juvenile offenders.

More than 50 trees sparkled for the crowd. Organizers view the event as a festive start to the holiday season.

“There is, as usual, a great assortment of trees,” said Judy Culley, executive director of The Shelter Inc. “We have some that are very traditional. We have others that are very nontraditional. We have an upside-down Christmas tree. We have a recycled tree that is made of things that are being recycled.”

Tiny trees. Big trees. Metal trees.

“You name it, we have it,” Culley said.

A tree donated by Wescoe Friends was decorated with stars and ribbons and named “Catch a Shooting Star.” Another tree covered with fish ornaments was called “Water Winter Wonderland.” It came from the Lawrence Parks & Recreation Division’s water fitness classes.

Debbie Schmidt of Altrusa International of Lawrence was one of the tree donors for the festival.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said of the event. “I love seeing the different ideas, and it’s such a good cause.”

The trees are auctioned and many sell for $200 to $800 or more.

Last year’s event raised more than $46,000 despite taking place during a snowstorm. Organizers expected this year’s event to at least match last year’s festival.

The funds pay for program enhancements at The Shelter Inc. Past benefits paid for new carpet for The Shelter’s facilities and went toward gaining accreditation for the agency’s services, Culley said.