Official lighting takes place Friday, Dec. 1 with a variety of entertainment, events rain or shine
You know the magical season is just around the corner in Historic Folsom when the official Historic Christmas tree arrives in Historic Folsom Plaza. Despite the wet weather over the weekend, a small army of those in the community made sure this year’s tree made it to Folsom from El Dorado County. The tree has a big role to fulfill, being the centerpiece for the 2023 tree lighting on Dec. 1.
Continuing with Folsom tradition, Historic Folsom Station’s Jerry Bernau located and purchased the perfect tree as a donation to the district. The perfect tree was chosen amidst several potential candidates at Smart’s Tree Farm in Camino, where the annual tree has come from annually. Thanks to Bonar Engineering, who donated their time and equipment, the tree was loaded and transported safely down the hill.
After arriving in Historic Folsom on Saturday, the 35-foot White Fir was erected just outside the Historic Folsom Ice Rink in its temporary location. On Monday, a team of volunteers got to work with the tedious decorating process from the ground, on ladder and from the basket of a bucket truck.
The Historic Folsom District Association is grateful for all of the volunteers helping with the process. Among those that were part of operation holiday tree this year were Denny Davis and Tom Lewis who worked to get the tree upright and secured before equipping it with lights, thanks to the help and equipment provided by Tailored Tree. Monday morning, Bobby Eddy, and her team from local business Not Too Shabby were leading the way to fully decorate the tree.
The tree will be hoisted up and placed into the center of the historic railroad turntable that is surrounded by the recently opened holiday ice rink later this week as the district prepared for its upcoming holiday tree lighting that takes place from 6 to 9 pm. on December 1. This event takes place rain or shine and is free to the public.
The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. sharp. A variety of entertainment will be taking place before and after the lighting, including the arrival of Santa to the district. The event will feature various vendors, goodies and performances by local youth groups, the Sutter Street Theatre actors and more. Following the lighting at 7:30, holiday songs are being performed by Roseville singer Kristin Brown at Willamette Wineworks. Brown is a current contestant on NBC’s The Voice as a member of John Legend’s team.
The December 1 event kicks off a flurry of festive happening in Historic Folsom, from the arrival of Santa to carriage rides, a holiday craft fair, activities for children and more over the weeks to come. Visit www.historicfolsom.org for updated information.
