BETHLEHEM, Pa. — David and Jessica Simoes loved the tree.
They absolutely loved it from the moment they moved into their home in Bethlehem Township 12 years ago.
The now-43-foot spruce in the front yard was bold and full and exuded the spirit of Christmas. Their son, Anthony, 9, adored it.
The family had no plans to remove the tree in the foreseeable future — until that knock on their door last month.
“He said, ‘You know, we’d love to have your tree be the city tree.' And I'm like, ‘Oh, OK.’”Jessica Simoes
“Greg [Cryder, Bethlehem Electrical Bureau Chief] knocked on our door a couple of weeks ago,” Jessica Simoes said.
“He said, ‘You know, we’d love to have your tree be the city tree.' And I'm like, ‘Oh, OK.’”
After family discussions on what to do, the Simoes arrived at this conclusion: The warm feelings their tree engendered should be shared with the community.
On Wednesday morning, the Simoes and many onlookers watched as the giant spruce was delivered and set into place at Payrow Plaza between city hall and the library.
25,000 to 30,000 lights, star on top
The tree was cut down on Wednesday morning in about an hour, set on a flatbed and given a police escort to Payrow Plaza, which for the past 25 years has been the venue for Bethlehem's city Christmas tree.
Bethlehem's annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Nov. 28.Bethlehem City Hall
City workers and Dickinson & Sons Crane Service, of Reading, placed the 43-foot-high and nearly 6,000-pound spruce tree into a green metal stand.
Beginning Friday and throughout next week, four city workers will spend six to eight hours a day adorning the tree with 25,000 to 30,000 LED colored lights.
A 3D star with a soft-white glow will be placed at its top.
Bethlehem's annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Nov. 28.
The event will consist of live carols and music, an appearance by Santa and cookies and crafts.
'The experience of donating it'
The search for the Bethlehem Christmas tree is an annual seek-and-find expedition for Cryder.
“I’m always driving around looking for a tree that would be good for the city’s tree,” he said. “I was looking and looking, then I saw this one.”
When the Simoes moved into the home 13 years ago, the tree, planted by the previous owners, already was eight years old.
“But even though the city wanted it, I was happy to keep it another four or five years. But in the end, Jess sold me on the experience of donating it.”David Simoes, Bethlehem Township
“We were actually going to pay to have it trimmed back a little bit this year,” David Simoes said. “We did it once already this year.
“But even though the city wanted it, I was happy to keep it another four or five years.
“But in the end, Jess sold me on the experience of donating it.”
On Thursday, the city will erect a second Christmas tree — this one donated by a private resident in Hellertown — at the ramp at 2nd Avenue.
This Christmas, the Simoeses will look out into an empty yard with a bit of sadness.
However, they should be comforted knowing their tree will be filling those in their community with so much joy.
