Holiday Tree
The Village of Chesaning Holiday Tree, along with the Community Services Building, will be lit the week before Thanksgiving each year.
The Holiday Tree will sparkle from the tree lighting through the first part of January the following year.
Lights are on at 4:00pm – Midnight and 4:30am – 8:30am for the community to enjoy.
How it all Began
In September of 2020, as the world was facing an uncertain holiday season due to Covid-19 sweeping the globe, the Village of Chesaning hoped to bring a new tradition to the community that would still allow residents to remain safe.
What better way to bring a little light and happiness to the holiday season than a tree lighting? In order to make this dream a reality the Village would need to purchase a tree, lights, and star. Zack Chludil of Rootnote Landscaping found the perfect Norway Spruce and organized it’s planting at the Community Services Building, which took place on October 27th, 2020.
In order to make the tree sparkle, lights and a star were next on the list to be purchased. Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth performed their magic and told the Village how many lights and how big of a star would be needed for the tree. Upon arrival the bulbs and light strands were separated, administrative and DPW staff, along with a village resident, volunteered their time to screw in the 4,008 lightbulbs into the strands.
After the strands were complete DPW strung the lights around the tree and across the front of the community services building. The star was also assembled by the DPW crew, but would have to wait a few years for the tree to take root before gracing the top of the tree.
The tree was finally ready to be lit on December 17th, 2020 at 5:30pm. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the lighting event had to be a simple event for donors and volunteer staff. However, the Village hopes the lighting ceremony will become an event the community can look forward to for generations to come.
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light” – Albus Dumbledore. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Warner Brother Pictures, 2004
Donors to the Holiday Tree Project
This new tradition would not have been possible if not for the donations from six local businesses who believed this would be a wonderful addition to the community and wanted to bring happiness and light to the residents of Chesaning during a difficult year.
On September 30th, 2020 the Village sent out e-mails asking the local marihuana industry for donations.
High Life Farms responded immediately and was gracious enough to donate the funds necessary for the tree and its delivery.
MoneyLineHoldings LLC generously offered to donate towards the lights for the holiday tree.
The River Provisioning, Canna Bros, and Cannabee Extracts were kind enough to donate funds for the star and part of the lights.
On October 14th, 2020 Six Labs offered to pay the remaining balance of the project which covered over 70% of the lights purchase. Making the tree fully funded within just two weeks.