By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,257)

Portland’s annual Christmas Tree is expected to arrive in Monument Square tomorrow morning between 10 am – 10:30 am.  This  arrival marks the start of the holiday season in Portland.  The 65 ft. Blue Spruce was donated by Alan Betters, 196 Highland Avenue, South Portland.  

“After an exhaustive search of Greater Portland, we found by far the best tree in South Portland.  It will look beautiful when adorned with lights in Monument Square,” said Jeff Tarling, City Arborist.

The Tree LIghting Ceremony is set for Friday, November 23 at 5:30 pm.   The festive event includes entertainment by Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band and the Maine State Ballet.  A Make-A-Wish child wkill light the tree this year with help from a very special guest!  The tree will be surrounded by a white picket fence making it the perfect place for downtown holiday photographs.  It will be lit with over 3,000 LED lights, donated by Efficiency Maine during the ceremony.

The tree will begin its trip down Broadway and continue across the Casco Bay bridge, through Commercial Street and up Franklin Street, entering downtown via Congress Street and arriving at its new home in Monument Square between 10 am and 10:30 am.

For more details on holiday events, please visit portlandmaine.com.