Rockford gets spruced up with arrival of official Christmas tree
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — In what’s become an annual tradition, the city’s official Christmas tree received a police escort into Davis Park this morning as downtown gets spruced up for the holidays.
The 40-foot tall, roughly 20-foot wide blue spruce was donated by the Guarino family. The tree, which is set behind the colorful aluminium letters that spell out Rockford in Davis Park, will be lit during a ceremony at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 during Stroll on State.
“I planted this tree for my parents’ 50th Anniversary in 1995,” Phil Guarino said. “Christmas was a very special time for my mom, and I know she would be happy to share it for Rockford’s Christmas.”
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This year’s tree was a bit wider than last year’s and made transporting it from the city’s east side to downtown tricky at times, said John Richards, president an owner of Tree Care Enterprises, which harvested the tree. It took up more lanes of traffic and required slower travel.
“It’s pretty close to 16 feet tall when it’s laying down,” Richards said. “We had to watch wires – there were a lot of wires we were just barely getting under.”
Tree Care Enterprises, along with Creative Crane & Rigging Inc., Stenstrom and Howe Freightways donate their time and equipment to harvest the tree and haul it across the city for installation.
“For our company it’s become a Christmas tradition, and we really enjoy doing it,” Richards said.
This is the second year that the tree has been placed in Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St.
“Last year was kind of a bummer with COVID that nobody could really appreciate it,” Richards said. “This will be the second year in this spot and hopefully it can be enjoyed a little more this year.”
The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes Stroll on State, and a team of volunteers will begin decorating the tree and the rest of downtown on Friday. Go here if you want to sign up to volunteer.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas
