Christmas tree makes return to Churchill Square

Edmonton’s giant Christmas tree — a 20-metre white spruce — is being erected again at Churchill Square after being bumped out last season due to construction.

The 2,800-kilogram tree being hauled in from Whitecourt is to arrive in Edmonton around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, said the Downtown Business Association (DBA) in a Wednesday news release.

When the tree — once again donated by Millar Western Forest Products — is on site, Millar Western forester Max Matthews, trucker Shawn Prokipchuk and members of their team will use a large crane to hoist the tree into the concrete stand, with support from Epcor crews.

After the tree thaws, Epcor crews will return next Wednesday and Thursday to decorate the spruce with more than 14,000 LED lights, sparklers and snow globes.

The DBA, still working around construction in the area, will then host a small light-up ceremony around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 15.

The tree will illuminate the area until Jan. 8.