It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, especially if you're at the ARC Tampa Bay Foundation's Festival of Trees.
"I didn't think it was this big,” said Salle Bell. “I didn't realize they had this many areas and trees."
Salle Bell and her family are among the many taking in all the sights and the holiday sounds at the weekend-long event.
“It’s incredible to see some of the designs here,” said shopper Jim Ebersole. The artistry is so good; I wish I was that talented.”
"Everybody is in such a good mood, it's great,” said Belle. “I love being around this energy.”
The festive energy at the 31st Annual Festival of Trees is hard to escape. There are hundreds of holiday decorations in store to get you in the mood for the season. But while you're spending on some handcrafted items, all the money raised will benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"They know it's all about them and so it makes them feel special to know that we're all volunteering, working real hard to raise money for them and that's what it's all about,” said Festival of Trees co-chair Travis Finchum.
For people looking for help getting into the holiday spirit, the Festival of Trees was the place to find some inspiration.
"This is a great way to start it," said Bell.
The Festival of Trees runs through Sunday at the Long Center on Belcher Road in Clearwater. Details can be found on the ARC Tampa Bay website.