Holiday tree arrives ahead of Grande Illumination festivities downtown

DAYTON — Organizers with the Dayton Holiday Festival welcomed the centerpiece for the Grande Illumination festivities as the 2021 Holiday Tree arrived at Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton on Wednesday morning.

The tree stands 45 feet tall and is a Norwegian Spruce. It will be downtown Dayton’s main attraction for the new few weeks.

Festival organizers said finding the perfect tree for Grande Illumination begins in June. This year, community members will be able to gather in person again for the celebration that happens the day after Thanksgiving.

Sandy Gudorf, President of the Dayton Downtown Partnership, said, “We’re thrilled to be able to meet in person and bring people back downtown for this beloved tradition.”

>> PHOTOS: Holiday tree arrives ahead of Grande Illumination festivities downtown

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2021 Holiday Tree Courthouse Square

Despite his uncanny last name, one Miami Valley resident said the tree unveiling gets him into the holiday spirit.

Jeff Christmas of New Carlisle said, “I think we’ve been longing for this for a while and we cherish the times we can get together.”

The tree was donated by the Gebhardt family in Dayton. City crews will spend the next few weeks decorating the tree.

For more information about the Grande Illumination, Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights and other details of the 49th Annual Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES, check out the website at www.daytonholidayfestival.org.

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