LEWISTON – The Kora Shriners’ 19th annual FEZtival of Trees is running until Saturday, Nov. 30.  

The festival includes a craft fair and more than 60 Christmas trees on display that are being raffled. Money raised will go toward keeping the temple operating and furthering the organization’s mission of helping children, said Paul Gardner, potentate of Kora Shriners in Lewiston.

“This is one of our major fundraisers for the year,” said Gardner. “We have families that come year-after-year, and this helps kick off their holiday season. We’re so thankful the community comes and supports us.”

Events like the FEZtival of Trees is why Gardner says he’s proud to call himself a Kora Shriner.

“We work all year towards this, and the committee is pulling out all the stops to bring a first-class event to the community,” said Gardner. “Seeing all the families, all the families smiling and having a great time, it makes all the planning worth it. This is a happy building when it’s full of people.”

Michelle Lowell is an X-Ray Technologist at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston who often sees the impact the organization makes on the families she works with.

“There’s not enough words I can say about how much I appreciate them doing the work they do in helping these kids,” said Lowell. “Seeing the magic in their eyes when they’re here for this event, seeing how happy it makes them to come here for these events is definitely inspiring.”

FEZtival of Trees takes place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Thanksgiving. The festival will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets are $6, children under 12 free. Tickets can be purchased on the Kora Shriner’s website.