NILES — More than 40 decorated holiday trees fill the inside of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum for the annual Festival of Trees celebration.

The free holiday tradition will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday through Jan. 2, and Saturday and Dec. 6 during the McKinley Christmas. The museum is located at 40 N. Main St. in Niles.

Belinda Weiss, museum director, said in the four years she has served as director, the festival has increased in the number of organizations, businesses, churches, historical societies, scouting troops and groups decorating a tree.

“Word has gotten out and many new groups are taking part this year in addition to those that come back each year,” Weiss said.

She said new participants are the Fowler Historical Society, the National Packard Museum, Legacy Tire and Cadence Care Network. Weiss said they also have some participants from Mahoning County.

Weiss said each group could decorate their tree however they chose, as long as it is a holiday theme. She said each tree is unique, with one having all the ornaments made by a lace making group and another having small pictures of local historical women from the Mahoning Valley who contributed to the community.

Besides the trees, there are also displays of lace holiday items, a miniature Christmas village, and vintage salt and pepper shakers.

Jason Burgermyer of Cortland was decorating a tree for the Trumbull Senior Production Company with lights and ornaments with dancers on them, including the Radio City Rockettes and ornaments made to look like shoes.

Kathy Kovell of Cortland, a member of Lacers of the Lake, said the ornaments were made from all different types of lace.

“People do not realize how many different types of lace there are. They are all handmade. I like seeing all the different trees and the unique ornaments on them. I like the ideas people come up with and how creative they can be. They give me ideas for my decorations,” Kovell said.

Gary Kovell of Cortland, who was helping his wife decorate a tree, said he is impressed with the creativity of the trees, with some looking like the Grinch and snowmen.

“I haven’t been to this museum since 1970. I went to Niles and we had a dance here with a band on the stage. I did not expect to see all these trees here,” he said.

The different groups began setting up trees earlier in the month.

“I had just taken down the Halloween decorations and began setting up the trees,” Weiss said.

She said groups that have taken part each year since she started as director have returned each year and have spread the word, which got more groups to participate.

“We have many historical societies who are taking part,” she said.

Weiss said the year before she started, there were 12 trees decorated, which increased to 24 her first year, to 33 the second year and 43 this year. Because of the number of trees, there are several on the museum’s stage and others around the inside walls of the large room.

Weiss said she is excited that people come into the 1915 museum not only to see the trees, but also the museum displays.

Mike and Maria Kreatsoulas of Warren visited the display with their grandchildren, who were fascinated with the bright lights and colorful bulbs.

“I think the trees are great. We heard about this and wanted to come here with our grandkids,” Mike said.

Weiss said the lace tree is so popular that there are plans to have the Lacers of the Lake offer lace programs at the museum in 2026.