LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville's holiday season is about to begin - and now we have the tree to prove it!
The Christmas tree for the 2021 celebration was cut down and delivered to Jefferson Square Park Wednesday morning.
According to a release from Mayor Greg Fischer's office, the 45-foot tall Norway Spruce was donated by the Lindsay family in the Murray Hill neighborhood. Chris Lindsay said the tree was only about twenty feet tall when his family moved into their house in 1999.
Lindsay said his wife wanted the evergreen to be the star of Louisville's holiday celebrations, applying for the city's program about five years ago.
"It was on the waiting list and got tall enough so they decided this was the year," Lindsay said. "We're happy to donate it."
Crews from Bob Ray Tree Company, LG&E, Louisville Parks and Recreation and Louisville Metro Government's Electrical Maintenance team cut down the tree and delicately laid it on a flatbed using a crane.
The tree then got to travel from its former home to downtown Louisville - complete with a police escort.
With the help of Santa Claus himself, crews installed the tree at Jefferson Square Park, so it will be ready to go for its big, shining moment: Light Up Louisville.
The city's beloved celebration will kick off the 2021 holiday season for the 41st year on Friday, Nov. 26. This year's festivities start at 5 p.m. and include Santa's Workshop, a holiday market, live music, the annual tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks.
Click here to learn more about Light Up Louisville.
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