City Of Williston To Host Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony On Nov. 28

Williston, ND - The annual Community Christmas Tree lighting continues a treasured holiday tradition that was re-introduced in 2014.

Each year, a tree is chosen from the list of homeowners who have chosen to donate their tree. Oftentimes, the trees used are donated because they have grown too large and pose a potential threat to the home itself or nearby power lines.

This year's Community Christmas Tree comes from 205 11th St. E., donated by Brady Vickers.

A Colorado Spruce around 60-feet tall and weighing around 12,300 pounds, the tree was moved on Monday, Nov. 14 to its holder on the corner of 26th St. E. and 2nd Ave. W.

Vickers said the tree was planted in the early 70s by his grandfather, making it a little over 50 years old. Having seen storms take down similar trees in the area, Vickers said he'd become concerned with the tree and its location, worrying it might someday fall over, either onto his house or into neighboring power lines.

"It was kind of a tough decision, because that tree has been in my life since I was a child," Vickers said. "When the opportunity came for it to be the City's Christmas Tree, we felt like that would be a fitting way for the tree to end its life, so to speak."

Vickers said the tree was going to have to come down eventually, so he is glad that rather than simply being taken down, it was able to become part of a community tradition.

With the tree in place, the community is invited to the 8th Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m.

This project was made possible by Basin Concrete-Trucking, 11 Bravo Property Services, LLC., City of Williston Public Works, Alliance Consulting, TNT Fireworks, Williston PD and Williston FD. Drone footage will also be captured by Alliance Consulting.

There will be a bonfire, refreshments sponsored by Alliance Consulting, holiday music, a short ceremony, and a fireworks show sponsored by TNT Fireworks.

In addition, the community is invited to participate in the third annual Community Christmas Tree Ornament Contest! Individuals are encouraged to get creative and make their best ornament to hang on the tree for a chance to win a prize pack.

The contest is open to all ages with the following age groups:

• Under 6

• 7-10

• 11-14

• 15+

Beginning Monday, Nov. 28, individuals can place their homemade ornaments on the tree. Contest participants have until Friday, Dec. 9 to place their ornaments.

To successfully enter the contest, individuals must:

• Take a picture of their ornament on the Community Christmas Tree OR a picture of them placing their ornament on the Community Christmas Tree

• Submit pictures via Facebook Messenger to the City of Williston (@cityofwilliston) OR the Williston Community Library (@willistoncommunitylibrary) OR email to [email protected]

• Include their name and age AND a name for the ornament

• Place their ornament by Friday, December 9

Two winners from each age group will be selected on Monday, Dec. 12. All submissions will be showcased on the City of Williston Facebook and Instagram pages.

Individuals are reminded that ornaments will be outside, so make sure they can withstand the elements if you want them back. A future timeframe will be provided for those who would like to retrieve their ornaments, if desired. The Community Christmas Tree will stay up until the end of December.

Individuals are also invited to place ornaments on the tree without participating in the ornament contest.

For more information on this story, please contact Mitch Melberg, Communications Director, at 701-713-3800 or [email protected].