ROCKWELL — The Festival of Trees returns to Rockwell Friday along with the model Christmas village.

The 14th annual ceremony is Friday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Historical Rockwell Museum at N.C. 52 and Broad Street downtown.

Refreshments will be served, and Santa Claus will be on hand as the town’s Christmas tree is lit.

The Festival of Trees will be open Friday night and during the weekdays next week from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This weekend and the following one, the hours are Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The 13 trees are decorated by several groups, including churches, students and businesses. The display will come down Dec. 14, and the trees will be donated to pre-determined families.

This year’s model village is based on a town in northern Germany at the time of the Christmas market — or Christkindlemarkt, according to Mallory Allen, who helps set up the display each year.

The model-village display measures 4 feet by 19 feet.

About 300 people, plus school groups, visit the display each year, Allen said. Admission is free.

There is also a small cash box where people can make donations and a guestbook to sign.

Contact reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.