Christmas tree lighting set for Oakhurst

OAKHURST — Crews have been putting up hundred of Christmas light and decorations on a 40-foot white fir tree recently delivered in Oakhurst by donor Sierra Tel. A tree lighting ceremony will be Dec. 2.

“I was really impressed to hear that it takes days to put up the Christmas lights on the tree. How wonderful Sierra Tel is giving us all a holiday gift,” said Therese Williams, spokeswoman for Visit Yosemite Madera County.

A Sierra Tel crew logged the tree under permit from the Sierra National Forest and took it to the community’s traditional tree site at State Route 41 and Road 426 at the Talking Bear monument. “Those of us on the committee for the tree lighting event, held the first Saturday in December, work for several months in advance to bring this gift to all who see it, whether they live nearby or are just passing through. It is a glorious thing to behold,” said Laura Norman, spokeswoman for Sierra Tel.

The tree lighting ceremony will be 5-9 p.m. Dec. 2 at Century 21 Ditton Realty, 40307 Highway 41, in Oakhurst. Planned are free food, games, bounce houses, entertainment and photographs with Santa Claus, who will arrive on a fire truck. Vendors will also be available.

For a full list of Christmas events throughout Madera County, go to http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/whats-happening