Novelist Edna Ferber wrote that “Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a feeling” and that feeling was on full display this month at the inaugural Festival of Trees event in Brentwood.

The three-day affair, which debuted Dec. 2, featured a variety of trees, wreaths and centerpieces decorated by local individuals, organizations and businesses. Placed first on display, the holiday trees and decorations were later sold, the proceeds benefiting local nonprofit and service organizations.

The festival also featured special events such as the Teddy Bear Breakfast, Sparkling Wines and Twinkling Trees open house and Brunch Among the Trees. Public viewing hours ran throughout the three days and featured live entertainment, food and refreshments, including wines from local vendors.

“It was definitely a success,” said Nancy Torres, one of the organizers of the festival. “We were at capacity for the wine tasting and Teddy Bear Breakfast. Honestly I don’t think we could have gotten another child in the door for the teddy bear event. It was really wonderful.”

Though the final numbers have yet to be tallied, Torres said the event turned a profit, and money will be allocated to this year’s designated organizations. Recipients will include 80Volts, Friends of the Brentwood Library, Brentwood Regional Community Chest, Brentwood Art Society, Brentwood Union School District, East Contra Costa County Historical Society, Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed, John Marsh Historical Trust, Kaleidoscope, Brentwood Kiwanis, Brentwood Rotary and Soroptimist of the Delta.

And now that the inaugural festival is in the books, organizers are already looking at ways to improve the event for next year.

“We’re looking at what worked and what didn’t and what we can maybe do differently next time,” said Torres, who added that interest was expressed in creating more open-house hours to allow folks to come and stroll through the festival. “We were so pleased and grateful for all the volunteers; some even donated storage. There wouldn’t have been a festival without them.

“This is the kind of event that I think is a nice addition to the events that the community already has – such as the CornFest and Art, Wine and Jazz Festival – that people like to get behind. We’re looking forward to next year.”