DETROIT – Detroit’s iconic Christmas tree has arrived at Campus Martius Park.
The tree came all the way from Mesick, Michigan, which is in the northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. It’s not shining with lights just yet, but that’s coming soon.
“Every year we get three trees to choose from in the summer, and we pick the one that is hopefully the nicest and will be Detroit’s centerpiece for the holiday season,” said Laura Dean, director of parks and spaces for the Downtown Detroit Partnership.
It’s not every day you spot a 62-foot spruce in Downtown Detroit, but when you do, you know the holidays have officially arrived.
“When you see this tree driving in, it’s like magic, it really is,” said Soula Burns, vice president of fund development and partnerships at Downtown Detroit Partnership. “It never gets old, you never kind of waver from it.”
Placing the Detroit Christmas tree is a city tradition that both visitors and locals look forward to.
“Once they fill her in with the lights… It’s just breathtaking,” said Amelia Sharpe, a Detroit resident.
The tree was sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation and delivered by Amazon.
“This is the first step, delivering it, and we’re so excited to be a part of it,” said Ian Conyers, head of community engagement at Amazon.
It really takes a village to prepare for the annual tree lighting ceremony. Crews spend more than a week decorating the tree to make it special.
“There are over 10 people up in that tree for close to 12 straight days, and it’s all in preparation for people to make holiday memories downtown with their family,” said David Cowan, chief public spaces officer at Downtown Detroit Partnership. “It is that photo that is shared around the world of downtown Detroit, so we take it very seriously to get it ready.”
The tree will light up at the 22nd annual Detroit Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 21. If you can’t make it in person, you can watch it on WDIV.