GOING ONCE ... GOING TWICE ... SOLD! FANCY TREES FETCH BIDS TO HELP CHARITY.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- It was a massive Christmas tree lavishly adorned in purple that caught the eye of Castaic resident Garett McKay on Saturday.

``But I don't know if my ceilings are tall enough,'' said McKay, one of hundreds of admirers who flocked to the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley.

McKay was accompanied by his daughter, Melodi, 14, who wore a black floor-length gown for her afternoon performance at the event with the West Ranch High School choir.

The forest decked out in grand style included about 100 artificial trees ready to be auctioned off Saturday night, some 9 feet tall, others tabletop-friendly.

Proceeds will benefit the group's new Sierra Vista Clubhouse, where after-school programs are offered.

Suggested bids began in the hundreds of dollars, and many trees had already fetched more than $1,000 in the silent auction.

Volunteer Judy Belue said some could fetch up to $10,000 in Saturday night's live auction.

Last year's event raised more than $150,000, Belue said. A tree decorated with a Six Flags California Magic Mountain theme sold for $7,500.

Kristi Davalos, of Saugus, mulled offering $1,500 for one captioned ``The Sweetest Season,'' festooned with iced gingerbread cookies and paired with extras: a catered dinner for 20, event planning, a pink Kitchen Aid stand mixer and other goodies.

Many decorators opted for conventional ornaments and tree toppers, but others eschewed tradition, instead pairing seashells with a vintage lifesaver or Chinese paper lanterns with fans. In keeping with the more-is-more concept, the latter was mated with an elaborately painted sideboard and antique stool.

Jill Levy zeroed in on her heart's desire, two oversize glittery toy soldiers tooting trumpets -- towering perhaps as high as 15 feet on their bases -- and a pair of topiary reindeer. She inked a bid.

``What I'm counting on is nobody else will have room for them,'' said the Hasley Canyon resident who has a 5-acre spread.

Levy said she hoped the toy soldiers would flank the gate for her annual Christmas party, which last year drew 250 people.

After that? ``I don't know what I'll do with them the rest of the time,'' she said.

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IF YOU GO

The Festival of Trees continues from 10a.m. to 4p.m. today at 24935 Avenue Kearny in the Valencia Industrial Center. Tickets: $3 for seniors; $5 for ages 15 and older; $3 for ages 4 to 14. Children younger than 3 admitted for free.

For more information, visit www.scvfestivaloftrees.org.

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6 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) This whimsical tree, by Six Flags California's Magic Mountain, features a carousel horse. It is one of about 100 decorated trees auctioned off Saturday at the Festival of Trees fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley.

(2 -- color) Proceeds from the Festival of Trees will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley's new Sierra Vista Clubhouse, where after-school programs are offered. Suggested bids began in the hundreds of dollars, with some trees expected to fetch up to $10,000 in the silent auction.

(3) Visitors had the chance to purchase decorations, including this hanging fairy at the Festival of the Trees event Saturday.

(4 -- 5) Above, a music-inspired tree is on display at the Festival of the Trees. Below, Ashley Lusk, 6, and Amy Overland, 7, both of Valencia, get a close look at a candy-inspired tree.

(6) An elegant ornament hangs from a branch at the Festival of the Trees event held in the Valencia Industrial Center. The event featured many Christmas trees and decorations that were auctioned off with the proceeds going to benefit the Boys and Girls Club Santa Clarita Valley.

Alex Collins/Special to the Daily News

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IF YOU GO (see text)