While the pandemic causes upheaval, one holiday tradition continues: the community Christmas tree.
Kimball Logging Company harvested the approximately 55-foot spruce on Sunday, placing it in the honored spot in the center of Main Avenue.
On Monday, linemen from Itasca-Mantrap Electric Co-op and Minnesota Power partnered to string it with lights and festive decorations.
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The community Christmas tree has been a partnership between the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association and CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospice Care for more than three decades.
For the safety of the public, the Yuletide Sampler was canceled. Downtown businesses will not be serving goodies to kick off holiday shopping.
The tree-lighting ceremony will also be virtual, with no in-person attendance. Instead, a video will be released at 6 pm on Friday, Nov. 27. Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Butch Delahunt, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospice Care Director Jessica Jensen and Santa will share the traditional holiday greeting for the community and talk about Light Up a Life for Hospice Care.
This year’s Light Up A Life for Hospice Care celebration will honor all individuals and families that CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospice Care has cared for.
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The public is encouraged to visit the chamber’s or CHI St. Joseph’s Health’s Facebook page or www.parkrapids.com to view the video.
“We also encourage the community to drive by the tree this weekend and take in the splendor of the lights and the special meaning it symbolizes for each of us,” said Sonja Day, communication/marketing director for CHI St. Joseph’s. “We understand that this may be
‘different” this year, but again, we have the health and safety of the public as our main concern during this time.”
