The tree from Western Gateway Heritage State Park is placed at Monument Square on Wednesday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — You know what season's coming when the Christmas trees appear on Main Street.
The city's Public Works and Wire & Alarm departments hoisted the two trees into position early Wednesday, but not without some difficulties.
The original tree for the top of Main Street turned out to be tougher to get to than originally thought. The large spruce on Furnace Street was going to require shutting off electricity to that area and possibly moving wires. National Grid decided that was a non-starter.
So, the city donated its own tree from the middle of Western Gateway Heritage State Park for Monument Square.
Colleen Taylor of Freight Yard Pub was out taking pictures of the 20-foot tree she said was planted about 1993 by park tenants for use during the holidays.
"We wanted to have a tree we could hang lights on for Christmas," she said. "But it got so big no one had a ladder high enough to put the lights on."
The tree was estimated at nearly 30 years old.
The spruce was expected to be cut down during the upcoming renovation of the park because it blocks access to the central court from the park's north end.
"I'm going to miss it," said Taylor as she took photos of the spruce being lifted by crane over the park's railway museum. "I did save some pine cones."
The tree placed at the lower end of Main Street next to City Hall was donated by Richard Lefebvre of 17 Halls Ground in Clarksburg.
City workers said it was getting more difficult to find good trees that are big enough and look good all the way around.
The annual tree lighting is set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, on Thanksgiving Eve. The tree lighting has been delayed until Wednesday, Dec. 4, also at 5 p.m., because of inclement weather.
Mr. and Mrs. Santa traditionally arrive after the tree is lit at Monument Square with bags of goodies. Last year, they came on the Fire Department's vintage fire truck but they've also taken the city's historic trolley. The event will also include caroling and downtown merchants are expected to have activities and specials to kick off the shopping season.
This year, Hometown Holidays events will take place on the Thursday nights of Dec. 5, 12, and 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. and will feature a variety of specials and activities downtown. Attractions will include holiday crafts, face painting, live music, gallery openings and more.
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The tree from Western Gateway Heritage State Park is placed at Monument Square on Wednesday.
