ADVISORY: Tree to Arrive in Monument Square TOMORROW

Tree to Arrive in Monument Square on Thursday, November 17

PORTLAND, Maine — The tree that signals the start of the holiday season in Portland will arrive in Monument Square on Thursday, November 17 around 10:00 AM.

"Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a tree. After an exhaustive search of Greater Portland, we found the perfect one! We’d like to thank Barbara Ripley for donating the beautiful 40’ Blue Spruce tree," said Jeff Tarling, City Arborist. “It will look spectacular when adorned with lights in Monument Square.”

Crews from the Forestry Section of Portland’s Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department will prepare the tree for transportation to Monument Square starting at 7:30 AM on Thursday from 43 Harris Avenue in Portland. Keely Crane Services and Shaw Brothers Construction have donated staff, crane and transportation services to make this project possible. Assistance is provided by the Portland Police and Portland Parking Control.

Starting at 9:00 AM, the tree will begin its trip from Harris Avenue to Preble Street, Marginal Way and up Franklin Street to Congress Street and Monument Square. A full schedule is provided below:

Schedule of Tree Delivery on Thursday, November 17

7:30 AM – Tree prep begins at 43 Harris Avenue

8:30 AM – Tree cutting begins

9:00 AM – Tree leaves for Monument Square

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Tree Arrives in Monument Square
10:30 AM -12:30 PM – Tree installed by City of Portland Forestry crews

The tree will be lit with over 3,000 LED lights, donated by Efficiency Maine, during the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 25 at 5pm. Produced by Portland Downtown, the festive night includes entertainment by Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band, Santa Claus and more. A Make-A-Wish child will light the tree this year with help of the man in the red suit. The tree will be surrounded by a white picket fence making it the perfect place for downtown holiday photographs.

Portland Downtown, a nonprofit 501(c)4 organization, is in the business of maintaining a clean and safe downtown while building and promoting a vibrant business, residential and tourism destination. For more information visit portlandmaine.com.