PARIS — The Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce will hold its own Festival of Trees this year to showcase local businesses.

On the weekend after Thanksgiving, decorated Christmas trees from as many as 60 local businesses will fill the Four Seasons Function Center, and visitors can buy raffle tickets for a chance to win the trees of their choosing.

Michael Godin, owner of Champoux Financial Services and a member of the chamber Board of Directors, said the chamber was looking for an event to coincide with the annual Christmas parade.

Area businesses are invited to contribute trees. Each tree will have a place to leave raffle tickets, and each tree will have a drawing with a chance for ticket buyers to win them.

A similar event at the Kora Temple in Lewiston has enjoyed success, and Godin said he’s hoping it catches on in the Oxford Hills.

“We thought this would be a nice community builder around the holiday,” chamber Executive Director John Williams said Thursday. He said the festival will give people something to do after the parade.

Rob McCarthy, owner of Dr. Rob’s Garage in Oxford and a member of the chamber board, kicked off the festival Thursday with the first tree, which is in the chamber of commerce lobby on Western Avenue. The white tree was decorated with pictures of the characters from the “Cars” movies.

McCarthy invited students from Oxford Hills Christian Academy to the chamber to add car ornaments Thursday.

“I run a repair garage, so I thought cars would be a good theme,” McCarthy said. He said he suggested banks could contribute money trees, and Hannaford could hang food from theirs.

The Festival of Trees will take place Nov. 25-27 at the Four Seasons Function Center on Route 26 in Paris. Admission is $3 for adults, free for children under 12. Admission and ticket revenue will go to offset the cost of the event.

treaves@sunjournal.com

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