There is a new location for the Christmas tree in Mt. Angel this year.
Instead of gathering around the blue spruce next to Mt. Angel City Hall to await Kris Kindl lighting the tree, Mt. Angel community members and guests will gather around the gazebo at Berchtold Memorial Park, between Charles and Church streets.
The gazebo will be decorated with lights, garland and a tree for Kris Kindl to light at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5.
The former tree was cut down on Oct. 13. Michelle Hall, assistant to the city administrator, said both the Mt. Angel Tree Board members and the Department of Forestry recommended the tree be removed because it had an unstable root system.
At its Nov. 2 board meeting, the Mt. Angel City Council instructed Interim City Administrator to meet with the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce and devise a plan for this year’s tree lighting. The tree lighting is the finale to the fourth annual Kristkindlmarkt, which will be held downtown 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Hall said the decision whether or not to replace a tree will be made at a later date. The city council is seeking four members to fill the Park/Tree Board, which currently has three members. Anyone who has lived in Mt. Angel for one year is eligible to apply. Applications are available at city hall or by visiting www.mtangelor.org.
