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.

The 22nd annual Festival of Trees is scheduled to kick off Monday at Liberty Hall to raise money for The Shelter, a local child services organization.

Decorated Christmas trees of all different shapes and sizes will be on display through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. except on Tuesday, when the doors will be closed at 5 p.m. Adults will be charged a $2 donation for admission, and children are free.

“The festival really marks the beginning of the Christmas season here in Lawrence,” says Judy Culley, executive director of The Shelter.

The trees will be auctioned off as part of the festival’s fundraising efforts starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and a $25 donation is required to attend the auction, which includes food provided by Evan Williams Catering. Trees will be delivered to buyers on Nov. 5.

Anyone can design and donate a tree, but because of limited space only about 50 trees will be put on display.

Local residents, businesses, clubs and organizations take the festival as an opportunity to showcase their artistic and creative abilities.

“It’s amazing that people still come up with different ideas every year,” Culley says. “We have great artists here in town, and it’s a very active community.”

Trees range from the whimsical and comical to the serious and sentimental and can be built from virtually anything. Past entries have included trees built from recycled wire mesh and McDonald Happy Meal toys. Others have incorporated themes such as “A Christmas Story.”

“There’s always a wow-factor involved,” Denise Berland, festival committee co-chair, says. “Every year there is something unique.”

Culley says trees sell for anywhere between $200 and $2,000. Last year the festival raised more than $45,000 for The Shelter, which allowed for much-needed office renovations.

Although the festival serves as The Shelter’s primary fundraiser, raising money isn’t its only purpose.

“We’re grateful for the fundraising, but we’re also grateful for providing public awareness,” Culley says. “It’s a good way to bring attention to the children who need help.”

The Shelter provides a range of programs for children at risk including juvenile emergency and temporary shelter, intake and assessment services and foster care and adoption assistance. These programs are aimed at keeping children out of the Kansas court system and in safe care.

Despite the recent economic crisis, Culley says sponsorship for the festival has remained steady. Various local sponsors help cover the festival’s expenses.

Berland is hopeful that this year’s festival will be a success.

“Every year we say, ‘Gosh, this has been a hard year’ and every year Lawrence (residents) come though,” Berland says. “They know it’s an important event and that the children need them. We live in a community that really seems to care for The Shelter.”