My second favorite Christmas tree stands tall and strong in the middle of City Park.
My favorite is my own.
But that second favorite tree? That’s our community’s, and every year during the holiday season it offers us every good thing about the season.
The lights on that tree stand for hope and beauty in a neighborhood that sometimes struggles to find either. I have been known to pause car conversations as I’m driving past the park to say, “I’m going to answer that in one second, but first just treat yourself to a look at that beautiful tree.”
Maybe they roll their eyes a little, but my people always take a look and genuinely appreciate those beautiful moments in their chaotic days.
The tree represents constancy in a world that’s spinning fast. It’s rooted right there where we can find it and, though it shows up on social media sites every now and then, it requires very little technology to operate, just a little electricity and some bulbs.
The tree, given to the city by Appleton Papers in 2007, wears skirts of gorgeous red begonias and purple salvia in the summer. In the winter, it glows with multi-colored lights.
Sadly, and to-date inexplicably, the tree is dark this year. Now it stands like a depressing shadow where once it represented such joy.
I first noticed the empty tree the day before the Christmas parade and I wondered how the city was going to string all those lights on that tree in time. Then, after the parade, I saw that the tree was still dark.
I’ve checked it in the days since, made multiple inquiries from various city entities, but I have not heard back from any official source as to why the tree isn’t lit this year.
I’d like to think we could brainstorm ways to get that tree lit again.
If you have any ideas I’d love to hear them.
In the meantime, please enjoy these pictures of the City Park Christmas Tree I’ve taken through the years, and I’d love to see yours.
How lovely are your branches!
But also winter’s snow and sleet.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
Of all the trees most lovely;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.
With brightly shining Christmas light!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.
We learn from all your beauty;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty.
Your bright green leaves with festive cheer,
Give hope and strength throughout the year.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty.
.
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Laura, there was a post on NextDoor the other day from Perri Ducklow on a thread about the City Park tree that said this: “I just got off the phone with Mike of the city forestry dept – they will not be doing it anymore. Whoever has been sponsoring it has stepped away. Mike was very helpful and explained the whole thing to me and said the discussion went all the way to the top.”
So sad it won’t brighten the city anymore. I always loved that tree,😢
Laura send your article to the Mayor. Everyone on Nextdoor is talking about this exact thing. First Drew Street Fire Department and now City Park’s Tree.
Shelly
I just sent this to the Mayor and Chris Croatt my alderperson. If more do the same, maybe, just maybe something like a miracle will happen.
Hello,
I’m just writing to let you know there is a lot of chatter on Nextdoor and elsewhere about the City Park Xmas Tree not being lit this year. First it was Drew Fire Station lights and now the City Park Xmas Tree. A lot of people are asking how do we get it lit again and how much does it cost to sponsor the tree?
Thank you for your time,
Shelly Cavins-Sauer (Lived in Appleton my entire life)
Thanks for sending that Shelly. I contacted the mayor’s office too. I’ll reach out again though.
Stay on this Laura!! And ask for figures how much a sponsorship is. Maybe the residents of Appleton would be willing to add $10 to their yearly tax bill to cover a Christmas week or two lighting. Or maybe another company might want to sponsor. It’s awful that so many things now count on sponsorships to find.