Toronto's Official
Christmas Tree has arrived at City
Hall
The City of Toronto's official Christmas Tree was delivered
to Nathan Phillips Square in anticipation of the 43rd
annual Cavalcade of Lights.
The tree is a 68-year old white spruce, near the end of its
natural lifespan, and stands over 18 meters tall. It arrived on
a flatbed trailer, and was lifted into place by a 25 tonne
crane. It took nine workers approximately six hours to secure
the tree, where it will settle for at least four days before the
decorations and lighting begins.
 This was an ideal - but extremely windy - photo opportunity to
capture a city tradition that kicks off the holiday season in
Toronto.
Neil Weller, from Weller Tree Service Ltd. in Keswick, Ontario
choose and delivered the tree and was onsite and available for
interviews. But with the wind blowing my cap of twice, and
others talking to him I did not bother the man, he was busy
enough as is.
Cavalcade of Lights is produced by the City of Toronto
and sponsored by Scotia Bank, which also sponsored the tree. It
is a holiday tradition spanning over four decades. Toronto's
free city-wide holiday celebration offers brilliant fireworks,
sparkling lighting displays, a calendar of festive concerts and
events plus tours of some of Toronto's most unique neighborhoods.
One of Canada's foremost festivals of illumination, the
award-winning Cavalcade of Lights captures the magic of the
holiday season from November 28 - December 31, 2009.
For more information about Cavalcade of Lights the public can
call 311 at the City Hall or visit
http://www.toronto.ca/ special
events.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government,
and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people,
not counting the entire population of Metro Toronto. It is the
economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most
creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous
awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering
public services. 2009 also marks the 175th anniversary of
Toronto's incorporation as a city.
I have lived in Toronto since 1957 and have been to many other
cities in Canada and the US and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere
else – except maybe Florida during the winter.
Dick Altermann
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