From staff reports
The City of Franklin will welcome its community Christmas tree on Friday.
This year’s tree was donated to the city by Dixie McEntire of Buttermilk Hill, who said she wanted the tree to be where lots of people could see it.
“I used to decorate it every year, but then it got too big and I couldn’t do it anymore,” she said.
“It shot up so fast,” McEntire said, “and the birds love it because it’s so full.”
When she saw a note in the newspaper about the city looking for its holiday tree, she started to consider donating the tree. The more she thought about it, the better she felt about giving up her beloved tree, she said.
“I hate to see trees cut down,” she said. “I just thought it would be better to donate the tree and let it be (displayed) where people can see it and enjoy it.”
“It sure is a pretty tree,” McEntire said. “Maybe the birds will come along with it.”
Although she couldn’t recall how many years the tree had been growing behind her house, McEntire said “It seemed to just grow so fast. It must have known it had a purpose.”
Crews from area businesses have agreed to donate their time and efforts to bring the tree into the downtown area and secure it into place in front of the Venango County Courthouse, where it will be on display throughout the holiday season.
Jeff Lukonic, a crane operator from ITC, will operate a boom lift that has been donated by Sunbelt Rental Equipment to raise workers high enough to place the lights on the tree.
The lighting of the tree is the climax of the annual Light Up Night celebration, which also features the Electric Lights Parade down Liberty Street and a fireworks display. Both will be live-streamed by Stream TV.
There will be special activities throughout the day of Light Up Night in the downtown area.
The Barrow-Civic Theatre will open its Christmas tree display from 2 to 9 p.m. The theater’s foyer will be full of trees decorated by community members, businesses and organizations.
From 1 to 9 p.m., the theater also will sell hot dogs and hot chocolate. HOLeY Jeans will perform as well.
The Barrow’s Little Theatre will be full of activity with the performance of “A Fairy Tale Christmas” at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. All performances are sold out.
Santa Claus will make an appearance from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the foyer at the Edward Jones office at 1240 Liberty St.
Prior to the parade, traditional Christmas music will be performed from 5 to 5:45 p.m. by Nathaniel Licht, Tammi Dahl and Rachael Mellor.
