The Orangevale Community Tree Lighting on December 1st begins the Christmas holiday season in our region. Photo courtesy of Kay Barnes

It is the holiday season! We are looking forward to joining our friends and family at holiday events this year. Do you know we have an Orangevale community Christmas tree?

The tree is a live tree which grows in the circle in front of the Orangevale Community Center all year. The Park was established, and the Community Center was built in 1996 at 6825 Hazel Avenue. The tree was planted in 1997 by Park Superintendent, Chuck West, and his maintenance crew.  Landscaping was part of the development of the park after many remember it as a cow pasture.

The community tree was donated by Lumberjack Store, and it came to the park in a box rather than a bucket which they thought was fitting for Orangevale. They determined the tree was appropriate for Christmas and therefore, it was planted in the circle in front of the Community Center in hopes of it being decorated every year for Christmas.

Not long after this tree was planted, a truck entering the roundabout lost control and drove over the newly planted tree. The tree was not always everyone’s favorite. The staff called it “A Charlie Brown tree” as it had very few nice branches, most were gangly and droopy and was only about four feet tall. Several people tried to dissuade the park district from planting the tree in the center roundabout in hopes of finding one that was “prettier” that would be more suitable to be called a community Christmas tree!

Miraculously the tree survived thanks to the loving care it received. It is currently an exceptionally large and beautiful monument that is decorated with various ornaments and lit every year at Christmas time. A very heartwarming ceremony with the topper placed on the tree by Santa along with other community dignitaries who are lifted by a cherry picker/crane piece of equipment while the crowd enjoys the event.

Come join the Community Tree Lighting in 2023 on December 1st 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Everything is free!

Bring your family to enjoy the events with refreshments, “Polar Express” Train Rides, Children’s Holiday Activities, Santa Visits, Tree Lighting at 6825 Hazel Avenue, Orangevale.

Bring a canned food item to donate to the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank, your camera for the special Santa photo and your holiday cheer!

Joyce Krueger is a member of the Orangevale History Project.