MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee’s annual Christmas tree harvest is happening today, kicking off the city's holiday season with some extra sparkle and tradition!
"It’s really exciting," said Dan Schley, who lives near this year's tree. "Just to see the neighbors coming out. Seeing the city getting ready to do this.”
This year marks the 111th year of Milwaukee's Christmas tree lighting—a legacy that ranks just behind New York City’s!
Watch: Live cutting of Milwaukee's 2024 Christmas tree.
The star of the show is a grand, 64-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, generously donated by the Yeager family. After today’s harvest, this towering beauty will travel in style with a Milwaukee Police Department escort to its new home outside Fiserv Forum.
“We reckon it's about 60 years old," said Andy Yeager, the tree donor. It’s a Colorado Blue Spruce. We’re just happy to contribute our tree to the efforts and represent the neighborhood.”
The family said it's bittersweet to see the tree go.
"Well I mean it’s a majestic tree so we prefer to keep it but its proximity to the house is problematic so," said Yeager.
With much consideration, a turn of the saw, and a countdown from Mayor Cavalier Johnson, the tree was on its way to Fiserv Forum.
As the sun came up, it was clear for neighbors to see why this tree was such a great choice.
“It’s absolutely a perfectly shaped tree," said Schley. "If a kindergartner draws a Christmas tree, that’s what they draw. It’s exactly a Christmas Tree.”
These students, watching the harvesting, said they almost didn't believe it was a real tree. They held their hands out as wide as they could to show just how big that tree truly was.
Related: https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/meet-the-family-donating-city-of-milwaukees-2023-christmas-tree
Milwaukee's very own styling guru, David Caruso, is stepping in to help bring this holiday icon to life, crafting the tree’s look with flair and festivity. And thanks to We Energies, the lights will twinkle from Dec. 5 onward, with the grand lighting ceremony open for all to enjoy.
Watch: The Milwaukee Christmas Tree will be harvested today
In a unique Milwaukee twist, Black Husky Brewing will also take a few boughs from the tree to create a limited-edition holiday beer! Proceeds will benefit the Milwaukee Urban Forestry Fund, blending holiday cheer with a good cause.
Last year, the 2023 Christmas Tree, standing at 38 feet tall, was donated by the Blue family. TMJ4's Sydni Eure spoke to the family last year, about what it meant to them.
Watch: Black Husky Brewing making beer using spruce from City of Milwaukee Christmas tree
"The previous owner planted both these trees for him and his brother," tree donor, Denise Blue, said. "He's a twin and his brother died in the military."
When Denise Blue, the current homeowner bought the home in 2001, she had no idea these trees would end up meaning so much to her and her family.
"It's so ironic that I'm a twin and also a veteran," Blue said. "So there's some kind of value behind it, so like I don't want my trees to go but right now for the city of Milwaukee, a donation, I'm doing it."
The official City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree has just arrived to Fiserv Forum and the “Cheer District”🎄 @tmj4 pic.twitter.com/LpawIaDATo
— Sydni Eure (@SydniEure) November 1, 2023
Blue said her nephew Alonzo Miller Jr. brought the idea to donate the tree to her.
Watch: Meet the family who donated the City of Milwaukee's 2023 Christmas tree
Get ready to bask in the holiday glow, sip a brew, and celebrate Milwaukee’s long-running tradition of festive spirit!
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