Neighbors celebrate lighting of SMILE’s living Christmas Tree

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 23, 2023

The Saturday before Thanksgiving Day, November 18, neighbors and family members gathered on the Oaks Bottom Bluff to again light the traditional full-size living SMILE Christmas Tree – on the rim of Oaks Bottom Bluff, just north of Beeson Wellness and Chiropractic – which once again this year is providing the power that lights the tree at no charge.

As for the stringing of those lights the weekend before, “It went smooth as silk, with great weather this year,” said organizer Matt Hainley of SMILE – the Sellwood and Westmoreland neighborhood association. “There was a little wind, up top – but the ‘ground crew’ had all the lights ready to go into the tree before our climber made his way to the top of the tree.”

And then, just after dark on the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, folks gathered for the tree lighting ceremony.

“With perfect weather, there was a huge crowd for the tree lighting with about 150 people attending,” Hainley remarked to THE BEE. “The turnout was so good, we’ll need to get traffic control [along S.E. 13th Avenue] next year!”

Carolers from St. Agatha Catholic School – Lucy and Cora Lax, and Anna Farwell – led the singing, after which the switch was thrown, and the tree lit up. In its prominent location above Oaks Bottom and Oaks Amusement Park, the tree is a beacon at night for motorists on Interstate 5 across the river, and can even be seen from some places downtown.

“Our thanks to Treecology, Papé Rents, Heiberg Garbage & Recycling, and Dr. Dan Beeson,” acknowledged Hainley.

The tree will stay lit nightly until after the New Year begins. You can, if you wish, help support this neighborhood Holiday tradition by making a tax-deductible online contribution, here – https://tinyurl.com/3fkvwwym