Tree heralds Lebanon's Christmas festivities

Nov. 22—Lebanon's largest Christmas tree recently arose on the south side of the Boone County Courthouse.

Its ornaments sparkled in the rising sun, heralding the coming of Christmas on the Square from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 2.

Visitors will find a magical atmosphere at Lebanon's Memorial Park and downtown, with a kids' play area, live reindeer, live music, food trucks, a Christmas lights parade, and the tree lighting.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will then retreat to the courthouse rotunda to visit with children who want to leave off their Christmas wish lists or be photographed with them.

For a complete schedule of the event sponsored by The Heart of Lebanon, visit the website at http://www.heartoflebanon.org/events/christmas-on-the-square/.

Workmen scrambled to place the 200-pound top section with help from a bucket truck.

Each section of the metal tree frame must be bolted in place on top of the next. Lebanon firefighters fill a large tank in the base with water to hold it into place on wintry nights. Then panels of greenery, ornaments, and lights wrap around the frame.

The Lebanon Parks and Recreation staff maintains the tree and other city ornaments and usually begins preparing them for the season and checking all the bulbs in October. Many of the lighted decorations are already up for the walk- or drive-thru display in Memorial Park. But they will be lighted closer to Dec. 2.

After the large tree goes up, the parks crew will also hang banners, lights, and more trees downtown to lend to the holiday atmosphere.

The Kappa Delta Phi Sorority will also crown a Snowflake Princess Dec. 2. The contest raises money for the Boone County Cancer Society. Find entry forms online at http://www.heartoflebanon.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gamma-Mu-Snowflake-Princess-2023-.pdf.