A Christmas Tree is growing in Delray Beach

By Palm Beach Business.com

Jim " Nolan aka "Santa Claus" and Sarah Martin of the Downtown Marketing Cooperative review pictures taken by photographer Melissa Korman. The frame of the 100-foot tree is at the left.

The rings that make up the tree have been assembled and some of the branches, bulbs and lights have been attached to the base, but a whole lot of work still needs to be done before the lighting on Dec. 2.

DELRAY BEACH — One hint that the holidays are right around the corner can be found in downtown Delray Beach. The city’s 100-foot Christmas tree is on the rise in Old School Square.

An army of volunteers, with the help of workers from Meisner Electric, Eagle Metal and Arrow Crane, began assembling the collection of 15,500 light bulbs, 386 branches and countless thousands of bulbs. The star that will sit atop the tree alone is 17 feet high and includes 3,000 bulbs.

Deadline for completing the tree: Dec. 2, the day Santa Claus will arrive to turn on the lights. About 500,000 are expected to view the tree by the time it comes down on Jan. 3.

“It’s good for the downtown; it’s good for economic development,” said Sarah Martin, executive director of the Downtown Marketing Cooperative.

One tradition will continue this year despite the tough economy, and that’s the involvement of 7th and 8th grade students in assembling the tree. In previous years, the DMC would make contributions to the schools in return for the students’ help. This year, the money isn’t there, but the students are. Martin said on any given day, between 15 and 51 students from private and public schools will be in the yard lending a hand.

Once completed, the tree will house a mini village of iconic Delray buildings inside its base, including representations of Spady Museum, the old train station, Sundy House and the Old School Square Portico.

This year, the lighting of the tree will be held in conjunction with Art and Jazz on the Avenue, with an array of activities throughout the downtown, including:

— S’mores & Soldiers: The Forgotten Soldiers Outreach will toasting s’mores in the 400 East Atlantic block. All proceeds will help the organization in send care packages to deployed U.S. soldiers. You can pen a holiday greeting to accompany one of these care packages.

— Snow & Snowflakes & Ornaments: Yes, there will be snow in the 600 block of East Atlantic, and in the 100 block, students from Digital Media Arts College of Boca Raton will be helping youngsters make snowflakes and decorate ornaments.

— Take a Sleigh Ride, South Florida style. A festively decorated, horse-drawn carriage will offer rides through Delray’s Pineapple Grove Arts District. Sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday sightsand decorations.

The tree also will feature a Nativity scene and a Menorah; there will be a lighting ceremony to celebrate the second night of Hanukah.

Other key dates at the tree: Dec. 11, Kid’s Day at the Tree. At 6 p.m., the annual holiday parade will take place down Atlantic Avenue; Dec. 31, First Night, Delray’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Cost for the event: $10 in advance, $15 on the 31st.