SEQUIM — Sequim’s downtown Christmas tree is in place — and it didn’t have to go far.
Emily Westcott, co-organizer of the annual downtown decorating effort, said she learned through the grapevine a local resident wanted to donate the approximately 60-foot tree in his backyard, which happened to be right behind Sequim Museum and Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave.
The neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said he doesn’t want credit because “it’s not about me, it’s about community.”
Last year, community members and Sequim merchants raised funds to purchase a tree from a Bremerton tree farm after volunteers including Captain Crystal Stout were unable to find a donated tree.
A crew with the City of Sequim — including Ty Brown, Luke Bugge, Josh Henning, Mike Madison and Gary Meyer — along with Dan Goettling with Accurate Angle Crane cut down the tree on Tuesday, maneuvered it out of the man’s backyard, and moved it onto a flatbed before transporting it a few blocks to Centennial Place, the northeast corner of Sequim Avenue and Washington Street.
Westcott said decorations for downtown Sequim were up mostly before the tree was placed. She and other volunteers planned to use a donated lift from Home Depot the following days to decorate the tree and a few more spots downtown.
Lights on the tree go live around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 as part of the Hometown Holidays event on the corner.
Westcott said there will be boxes prior to the event for guesses to the amount of lights on the tree for a chance at $100.
Hometown Holidays
The event runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. featuring the Sequim City Band, Juan de Fuca Harmony (formerly Olympic Peninsula Men’s Chorus) and Sequim Community Church Singers throughout the afternoon.
Santa Claus arrives at 2 p.m. and will be available along with the Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty for photo ops.
Local scouts will be on hand to sell wreaths, cookies and hot drinks. KSQM 91.5 AM radio also will be broadcasting on site.
The Sequim Museum’s Tractor parade begins at 5 p.m. Staging begins at 4 p.m. and travels south on Sequim Avenue and then west along Washington Street to Mariner Cafe. A rear orange safety triangle is required for each tractor.
Sequim-Dungeness Chamber of Commerce staff said the Elk on a Shelf game begins on Friday, Nov. 25, with game cards available at participating retailers.
For more information, visit www.sequimchamber.com.
