Oakdale will deck its halls for the holidays on Friday, Dec. 2 with the annual lighting of the Oakdale Christmas tree. This year’s tree lighting was organized and sponsored by the Oakdale Garden Club, and will include 30 smaller trees, each sponsored by local organizations.
Oakdale schools, churches, businesses and other groups received their six-foot trees for decorating a few weeks in advance of the lighting. The artificial trees will be placed on the path leading to the permanent Oakdale Christmas Tree in Wood Park, at the corner of Yosemite Avenue and F Street in the heart of the downtown area.
“It’s quite an undertaking to decorate a six-foot tree, but the community’s response was impressive,” said Annette Lane, Vice President of the Oakdale Garden Club.
The club took over the tree lighting ceremony when they learned that the city no longer had the budget for the holiday tradition. Club members refurbished the candy cane decorations and secured sponsors for the brand-new artificial trees. Sponsors will also provide hot apple cider and treats for attendees at the tree lighting ceremony, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Wood Park. Mayor Pat Paul will be lighting the town’s official Christmas tree at 7 p.m.
Also planned for that evening is the fourth annual Old-Fashioned Christmas event downtown, running from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and centered around Third Avenue businesses. This will be the perfect time to start holiday shopping, with merchants staying open late, along with craft vendors, holiday wagon rides, photos with Santa and more. This year will also feature live musical entertainment and a petting zoo.