One very tall Christmas tree
Delray Beach’s 100-foot aluminum tree is celebrating 25 years.
It’s a quirky, sparkling, beloved attraction that rises 10 stories and lures thousands to Delray Beach every winter.
There’s at least one marriage proposal every year on the site. Four years ago, residents tried to break the world record for the number of ugly Christmas sweaters in one location.
It’s all centered around Delray Beach’s 100-foot Christmas tree, a downtown centerpiece for the past 25 years. To celebrate the quarter century, city officials are soliciting residents’ memories of the aluminum tree. It’s the tallest of its kind in South Florida, they say.
“Is it real? No, but it’s definitely a living thing,” said Stephanie Immelman, Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative executive director. “There are so many different reasons people have for loving the tree. One of my volunteers has left money to it in her will. People feel very strongly about it, people of all faiths.”
The city replaced the tree near Old School Square for the first time last year at a cost of about $800,000.
Storage, assembly and maintenance costs about $175,000 a year.
The tree is decorated with 15,000 LED lights and 30,000 ornaments.
This year, visitors will see an ice rink, a carousel and an army of volunteers ushering guests inside. Santa will light the tree during a Nov. 29 ceremony, and the attraction will be open to visitors Nov. 30 to Jan. 1 for a suggested $1 donation. There also is a Seas and Greetings parade, combining Santa and winter-y holiday floats with Florida sand and ocean themes.
Send your memories to the Facebook page “Delray Beach 100ft Christmas Tree.”