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 Chandler's Unique Tumbleweed Tree
& Annual Tree Lighting Festivities
Join us on Saturday, December 5, 2009, in celebrating a unique southwestern tradition that draws visitors from far and wide during the holidays. This community festival also includes the beautiful Parade of Lights. This year marks the 52nd Tumbleweed Tree built in Historic Downtown Chandler.
- Saturday, December 5, 2009
Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m., and conclude at 9 p.m.
Parade of Lights begins at 7 p.m., followed immediately by the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave.
Event Parking & Parade Route Map
Event Schedule
- Main Stage Entertainment
To be announced
- Traveling Performances: Throughout Dr. A.J. Chandler Park
- Santa's House: Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, next to Tumbleweed Tree
4:30-9:00 p.m.* Hey kids, take a free picture with Santa!
* Closed during the Parade of Lights
- Parade of Lights:
7:00 p.m. Watch floats, vehicles and community groups light up the streets of
Chandler with their creative display of holiday enthusiasm
- Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony: Dr. A.J. Chandler Park
8:00 p.m. Watch the most unique tree light up the night when the Mayor flips the switch
and the holiday season in Historic Downtown Chandler officially begins.
VENDOR INFORMATION
There is no vendor space remaining for the 2009 event. Please check back with us next year for more information on space for the 2010 Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Festival.
Video Profile
Watch this 2008 video produced by the East Valley Tribune showing how Chandler Parks crews construct the Tumbleweed Tree:
A Community Tradition
This unique Chandler tradition began in 1957, when Chandler resident Earl Barnum raised the idea of a tumbleweed tree after he saw a similar one in Indiana built out of cone-shaped chicken wire with pine boughs stuck in the holes. Many members of the community helped create the first tree in Chandler using tumbleweeds that they gathered from around town. Little did these folks know that they were the first to do such a thing and that it would continue as an annual Christmas tradition from then on. In fact, Chandler is the only city in the southwestern United States that has such a tree!
How is it done?
First, members of the City's Park Operations Division gather tumbleweeds from the outskirts of the City. With Chandler's rapid growth and development, fewer stretches of empty land are within the City limits, which makes it harder to find tumbleweeds in large quantities. So, the Park crews must start collecting the tumbleweeds earlier each year.
Once the tumbling tumbleweeds are collected, between 1,500-2,000 are used to adorn a 35-foot tall wire frame. Then, the tumbleweeds are sprayed with 25 gallons of white paint, 20 gallons of flame retardant and dusted with 65 pounds of glitter. The tree is later adorned with approximately 1,200 holiday lights that give it a spectacular look, day or night.
The lighting of the Tumbleweed Tree draws a large crowd, with more than 12,000 expected to watch the Mayor and members of the City Council flip the switch to light this magnificent sight.
The Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Parade of Lights (starting at 7 p.m.) help to bring our community together to kick-off the holidays.
Chandler Special Events Hotline
480-782-2735
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