Portland Unveils Annual Christmas Tree

Portland has officially kicked off the holiday season with the arrival of its annual 75-foot Douglas-fir Christmas tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square, a tradition supported by Stimson Lumber Company for over two decades. Mayor Ted Wheeler celebrated the tree's arrival, highlighting it as a symbol of the city's recovery and upcoming holiday festivities, including the tree-lighting ceremony on November 29 featuring local musicians and Santa Claus. The tree, approximately 35 years old and weighing 7,500 pounds, required the assistance of 40 other Douglas firs to achieve its full appearance, as additional branches were added for aesthetics. The holiday schedule includes various events such as My People's Market, a Christmas concert, and the Portland Holiday Brew Fest, with the city aiming to enhance foot traffic and community engagement. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is also gearing up for the holidays with its own tree arrival, signaling an early start to festive celebrations across the region.