PARKERSBURG - Christmas trees reflecting the holiday traditions of different countries will be on display in the annual "Trees of Our Heritage" exhibit at the Blennerhassett Museum in November and December.

The museum will hold a holiday heritage reception and exhibit opening from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the museum at 137 Juliana St. in downtown Parkersburg.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of Blennerhassett and the museum and will run through Dec 31. The Friends of Blennerhassett, individuals within the community and local organizations work year-round to prepare for "Trees of Our Heritage."

"The decorated trees and exhibits give visitors to the museum a firsthand glimpse into the exotic ways that people in other parts of the world live and the ways that have shaped our culture over the centuries and have molded the American way of life," said Pam Salisbury, with the Blennerhassett Museum.

Live entertainment will be provided during the reception by Valley Voices (Chuck and Judith Craig) at 1 p.m., the Parkersburg South High School Madrigals at 1:30, the Blennerhassett Dancers at 2 and the Williamstown Strings Youth Players at 2:30.

The reception will also feature ethnic foods from various countries represented in the tree exhibit. The Victorian Society will prepare foods from the Victorian era.

Admission to the reception is free. During November and December, the regular museum admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children. The museum and its gift shop are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Approximately 25 decorated trees are expected to be exhibited on the first and second floors of the museum for the six weeks of the holiday season.

The Christmas trees are being decorated by various groups, with ornaments representing some of the many countries of origin of the people who have settled in America. Some of the places represented will include Africa, the Caribbean Islands, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, Canada, China, Hungary, Japan, Puerto Rico and others, including some special themed trees.

There is a multicultural tree decorated by representatives of the Mid-Ohio Valley Multicultural Festival, an Americana tree featuring early American items, a Colonial America tree and a Kwanzaa tree, Salisbury said.

Salisbury said some countries that don't observe Christmas are represented in order to convey a sense of their history and culture to museum visitors.

This year's reception will also incorporate a special activity, Salisbury said. Father Christmas will be present from 1 to 3 p.m. during the event to meet with children, who will also have the chance to do a take-home craft and have refreshments for the children.