Like its predecessor, the year-old 100-foot tree dominates the Delray Beach skyline. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Jane Smith
The 100-foot Christmas tree went up before Halloween this year, but it’s the same time as last year, said Stephanie Immelman of Grapevine Communications, LLC, the firm in charge of the tree.
Last year, Delray Beach purchased the new tree to replace the rusted structure that annually needed repair and moved the tree location to the east side of the Old School Square grounds.
“We wanted to make sure we had enough time to put it up,” Immelman said.
The tree-construction contractor, Christmas Designers Inc., finished its work in mid-October and will return in early November to build the ice skating rink and fill in the branches, she said.
The city needs volunteers to help assemble the holiday gift shop inside the tree and the interiors of the other gift shops nearby. Volunteers can sign up for shifts during the weeks of Nov. 5 and Nov. 12.
“We will start at 9 a.m. and go to 2 p.m. from Monday through Friday,” Immelman said.
Volunteers can sign up by emailing Tiffany Mazer, the tree’s “volunteer whisperer” and operations manager, at tmazer@delraybeach.com. Lunch will be provided each day.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 100-foot tree in Delray Beach.
“We are asking people to tell their tree stories,” Immelman said.
Anyone with tree tales can contact Mazer via email and type “tree memories” in the subject line. Photos are welcome. The deadline is Nov. 15.
Entries will be posted on a special website created for the tree, www.100ftchristmastree.com, and on the tree’s Facebook page.
The 100-foot tree lighting will be Nov. 29, the Thursday after Thanksgiving. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Santa will light the tree at 7:15 p.m. and will stay around for photos after the tree lighting.
The event is free; nearby activities such as ice skating and the carousel rides have a nominal charge.
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