Festival of Trees sparkles at Tower Square

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Many of the thousands who attended the Parade of the Big Balloons on Friday morning went directly to nearby Tower Square for the opening of the Springfield Boys and Girls Club Festival of Trees .

The crowds came to the downtown shopping center to admire the more than 100 specially-decorated trees. This is the festival's 12th year, and the trees never fail to impress.

“I think it's absolutely awesome,” said Sheila Desellier of Granby. “It's like the colors, everything, they're beautiful, all of them.”

The Festival of Trees will continue until December 9. Until then, visitors buy a raffle ticket in hopes of winning one of these for themselves. The festival helps the Boys and Girls Club raise money for its programs.