The city of Newport’s Christmas tree has a 3-foot crab representing the role of commercial fishing to the community. (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … a crab on top of a Christmas tree?
This year’s Newport city tree — a 23-foot-tall Douglas fir with a three-foot metal lighted Dungeness crab affixed like a star at the top — was placed and decorated this week in the plaza in front of Ripley’s Believe it or Not!. The tree topper was created by Newport Signs in partnership with the Newport Chamber of Commerce and the tree came from Willoughby Tree Farm in Junction City.
Newport public works employees placed the 23-foot-tall Douglas fir in front of Ripley’s Believe It or Not on the Bayfront this week. (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)Newport’s annual tree lighting ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday following the Lighted Boat Parade, which begins at 5 p.m. The ceremony will be held in front of Ripley’s, 250 S.W. Bay Blvd. and parking will be free on the Bayfront throughout the weekend. Following the tree lighting, a brief reception will be held featuring carolers from Sam Case Elementary School, Newport High School dancers, an appearance from Santa and hot chocolate and fresh-baked cookies.
“We are excited to bring our city’s holiday tree to the Bayfront to coincide with the chamber of commerce’s Lighted Boat Parade, creating a festive evening for our entire community,” city manager Nina Vetter said in a news release.
What’s the worst part of putting up any Christmas tree? Getting it placed in the stand correctly, of course, as two Newport public works employees re-discovered this week. (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)Have a photo and short story to share? Send it here.
