North Adams Begins Downtown Christmas Tree Installation
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| City workers had to make the trunk smaller to fit in the tree stand. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Downtown North Adams took its first official step into the holiday season Monday as city crews began installing this year’s Christmas trees along Main Street.
"The weather is great, and it should be beautiful all week," said Wire and Alarm Inspector Mitchell Meranti. "We will have some great weather to decorate."
Meranti said city workers moved the first tree — a 25-foot blue spruce from Cheshire — at 7 a.m. It was installed closest to City Hall.
The second tree, a 30-foot balsam fir from Adams, was paraded down Main Street in the early afternoon. It will stand at the other end of Main Street near the monument, Meranti said, adding that it was closer to 45 feet before being cut down.
"We cut a lot off of it," he said.
Around 1 p.m., a crane suspended the tree so workers could trim the trunk to fit the stand.
"That is the biggest challenge this year... we need to get it down to 14 inches," Meranti said.
Once the tree fits, Meranti said the crew has to determine its best side. Though the tree is a bit patchy, he remains confident it will look great once lit.
"I need to figure out what side looks the best," he said. "This is a tough one, but we will make it look good."
The city tree lighting will take place Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
