The Acadiana Festival of Trees, a three-day holiday event for families begins today at City Club at River Ranch.The festival features uniquely decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, kids' activities, Santa Claus, live and silent auctions and more. Family Nights will run from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today and Thursday, with a Holiday Gala from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday.Family Night features a $6 admission per person, 2 and under free, with all activities included.Those activities include pictures with Santa Claus, face painting and a balloon man, children's activities and crafts, performances by local children's groups and the chance to view the Christmas trees and wreaths.Those interested can download a coupon at www.acadianafestival oftrees.org.Those attending the Holiday Gala will be able to bid on beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, enjoy a live auction of items including artwork by Carl Groh, live music from Linda Kiddand and the chance to taste food from some of Acadiana's finest restaurants.Tickets are $50 per person.All proceeds benefit Acadiana Youth Inc., which runs the Acadiana Shelter for Girls, the Children's Shelter and Maison de Mére.Acadiana Shelters for Girls is a long term residential program for girls from ages 12 through 17 who have been abused or neglected and are in need of a safe and healing environment in which to live.The Children's Shelter is an emergency shelter for children, boys and girls, from the ages 2 years through 17 years.These children have been abused and neglected by their caretakers and in need of emergency protection.Maison de Mére is a home for teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting a child.The girls live at Maison de Mére before and after they have their child, and the staff at the shelter work to break the cycle of abuse by teaching parenting skills and independent living skills to the young mothers.