MARION — Although Thanksgiving is yet to pass, Christmas tunes and the smell of hot chocolate circulated in the air at the Benjamin C. Cushing Center on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The building played host to a reception celebrating the start of Marion Council on Aging’s annual Festival of Trees.

An assortment of decorated trees were placed around the inside of the building. Members of the community came to the reception to get their first look at the trees and enter their name for a chance to take one home when they are raffled off on Dec. 9.

Along with the trees, a number of gift baskets were raffled off and vendors set up to allow attendees to do some early holiday shopping.

“This kicks off the season,” said Friends of Marion Council on Aging President Dianne Cosman.

Cosman said the trees provide a festive atmosphere for council on aging activities.

In the past, full sized Christmas trees were used for the event. A switch has been made to tabletop sized trees because they take up less space and are easy to move.

“It feels great to have everybody come out,” said Marion Council on Aging Director Karen Gregory. “It’s part fundraiser, part community event.”

Cosman said that funds raised from the raffles will go towards council on aging activities.

Along with a number of vendors, a hot chocolate bar with a dozen toppings helped guests get into the holiday spirit.

Pieces of art apart of a new show titled “Holiday Smalls” were hung all over the walls of the building. The art is available for purchase at “reasonable” prices according to Gregory.

The raffle for the trees will remain open until Dec. 9.