PORTLAND, Maine — The tree that signals the start of the holiday season in Portland will arrive in Monument Square on Thursday, November 19 around 10:00 AM.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a tree. After an exhaustive search of Greater Portland, we found the perfect one! We’d like to thank JB Brown & Sons for donating the beautiful 40’ Blue Spruce tree,” said Jeff Tarling, City Arborist. “It will look spectacular when adorned with lights in Monument Square.”

Crews from the Forestry Section of Portland’s Department of Public Works will prepare the tree for transportation to Monument Square starting tomorrow at 7:30 AM from 891 Washington Ave & Rainbow Mall Road in Portland. Keely Crane Services and Shaw Brothers Construction have donated staff, crane and transportation services to make this project possible. Assistance is provided by the Portland Police and Portland Parking Control.

Starting at 9:00 AM, the tree will begin its trip from Rainbow Mall Road to Washington Avenue to Tukey’s Bridge, to Franklin Street up to Congress Street and Monument Square. A full schedule is provided below:

Schedule of Tree Delivery on Thursday, November 19
7:30 AM – Tree prep begins at 891 Washington Ave & Rainbow Mall Road (the tree is located at the parking lot edge near building off Rainbow Mall Road)
8:30 AM – Tree cutting begins
9:00 AM – Tree leaves for Monument Square
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Tree Arrives in Monument Square
10:30 AM -12:30 PM – Tree installed by City of Portland Forestry crews

The tree will be lit with over 3,000 LED lights, donated by Efficiency Maine, during the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 27 at 5:30pm. Produced by Portland Downtown, the festive night includes entertainment by The Jason Spooner Band, Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band and more. A Make-A-Wish child will light the tree this year with help from a very special guest! The tree will be surrounded by a white picket fence making it the perfect place for Downtown holiday photographs.

For more information contact Portland Downtown at 207.772.6828

Portland Downtown, a nonprofit 501(c)4 organization, is in the business of maintaining a clean and safe downtown while building and promoting a vibrant business, residential and tourism destination.