by Noella Noelophile®
(Photo courtesy of Downtown Sacramento Partnership, and used with permission.)
A scent of fir. A sense of excitement. Lots of smiles and bustling activity.
Nothing says, “Christmas is coming!” quite like the arrival of a giant tree.
And that’s going to be happening, one week from today, in Sacramento.
Around 7 o’clock on Monday morning, November 6th, a 60-foot tapered white fir tree is set to arrive at Old Sacramento Waterfront.
From 7 am to 9 am, crews will be busily engaged erecting the tree and securing it in place.
If you’re in Old Sacramento next Monday, that may be the perfect opportunity for a festive breakfast–and some early shopping in support of the local businesses.
This year’s tree is dormant, between 35 and 40 years old, and weighs approximately 12,000 pounds, according to a current press release. Multiple new trees and seedlings have been planted to replace it, in the area of Shasta where it previously grew.
Plans for Christmastime
And if the giant tree comes, can the celebration be far behind?
(Photo courtesy of Downtown Sacramento Partnership, and used with permission.)
This Christmas season’s plans include the official tree lighting, happening at 6:00 Wednesday evening, November 22nd. (Which just happens to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving!)
Then, immediately after the tree lighting, more magic happens.
(Photo courtesy of Downtown Sacramento Partnership, and used with permission.)
As the tree stands glowing with nearly 24,000 lights, 550 icicles, 400 strobes and innumerable other specialty lights from the talented Stage Nine Exhibits team, the time will have come for the first live performance of “Theatre of Lights”.
A Sacramento Christmas tradition, “Theatre of Lights” marks its 15th anniversary this year. You’ll recall, from my 2021 conversation with Stage Nine President and Theatre of Lights creator Troy Carlson, that this is a uniquely-Californian celebration of the season.
Interweaving California history with a light-and-sound spectacular performance of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit From St. Nicholas”, on the balconies of Old Sacramento’s historic buildings, “Theatre of Lights” is a free family event.
While I don’t yet have all the 2023 performance dates and times, the “Theatre of Lights” show runs around twenty minutes in length, and a surprise new element will be included, both on its opening night and that Friday and Saturday evenings.
Get ready to celebrate! And if you’d like to support an amazing independent retailer, don’t forget to browse Stage Nine Productions Entertainment Store as you’re Christmas shopping.