Holiday Fun For A Good Cause At The Festival Of Trees

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --  The Festival of Trees is called the largest holiday extravaganza on the east coast, and its back for the holiday season. The Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees returns to the Maryland State Fairgrounds, offering fun, excitement, and gifts for the entire family.

"We're in out 27th year. Each year bigger and better," said Michele Mueller, Kennedy Krieger Institute.

For three days, families get to enjoy and buy dozens of holiday gifts, Christmas trees, or whatever you see.

It's a tradition for many families and they are passing that tradition on.

"Last year I was very pregnant, so this is [my son] Gabe's first year. We come because it's a great opportunity to get some Christmas shopping down and it puts me in the spirit. It's a great tradition," said Brenna Gertz.

The gingerbread town, where people can purchase some of the gingerbread houses hand-crafted by local business and organizations. Several of WJZ's anchors and reporters got in on the fun.

The gingerbread house built by Marcus Washington and Chelsea Ingram has already sold.

A gingerbread masterpiece recreates the B & O Railroad Museum as the Polar Express, with a train made from Oreos. It was constructed with the help of 35 workers at GWWO Architects.

"We're so honored. We feel so privileged to participate in this and love that it puts smiles on children's faces and it's going to such a great cause," said Sarah Grantz,  GWWO Architects.

"The money goes to Kennedy Krieger Institute and it goes towards research, special education programs, community programs and in in-patient hospital. It just provides the critically needed funds we need to run all those programs," said Mueller.

In 2015, the Festival of Trees saw 52,000 guests. This year, they're pushing for 55,000

"I just love to see the different families and the different love and joy it brings to different families, because you see a lot of family fun," said Tahlia Payne, Baltimore.

The Festival of Trees is being held at the Timonium Fairground Saturday, November 26‎ from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, November 27 from ‎10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about the Festival of Trees CLICK HERE.