Winter Wonderland tree lighting ceremony cold but heart-warming

[December 02, 2021]    Friday evening, temperatures were cold in downtown Lincoln, dropping down to freezing and below. Even so, there was a hardy crowd of people who bundled up and came out to see the first lighting of 100 Christmas trees skirting the lawn of the Logan County Courthouse.

Now in its third year, the Winter Wonderland Christmas tree project came close to doubling what it was last year. The first season there were roughly forty trees on the lawn. In 2020 there were about 60 trees, and this year there were 100. Each tree was purchased by a local business, organization or individual and decorated, many with a theme that reflected their group or called to remembrance a loved one lost.

The annual Winter Wonderland is the first of a number of activities that will go on in the downtown area this Christmas Season. The idea of placing the trees around the courthouse came from Kathie Williams who is the owner of Small Town Creations on the square in Lincoln.

Friday evening as it came time to light up the trees for the first time, Williams and Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch addressed the large group of people gathered on the sidewalk and on Kickapoo Street on the west side of the courthouse.



Williams began by saying that there were a number of people and groups who had made it possible to place the trees and host the lighting ceremony starting with the Logan County Board who gave permission for use of the courthouse lawn. She thanked the city of Lincoln for allowing for a one-hour street closure on Kickapoo Street, making it possible for everyone to gather safely for the tree lighting.

Cresco Labs, a large business on the outskirts of town was shown much appreciation this year. The business that grows medical cannabis has a community service program within its company. As such, the company dictates that employees do a certain amount of community service projects throughout the year. This year about a dozen of the employees came out on Saturday, November 20th and helped Williams and her husband Jim place the stakes and set the 100 trees. Williams said that it was a tremendous help with so many trees and stakes and one that she was certain Jim Williams could appreciate even more than she did.

Williams thanked those that purchased the 100 trees. She noted that if the community didn’t support this project, it could not survive and grow as it has, so her appreciation for all those that do support it is great.

Williams also acknowledged Lincoln alderman Kevin Bateman who came out and helped with setting up power to all the trees around the square, Ken Richert who provided the sound system for the lighting ceremony, and Logan County Tourism Director Alice Roate who helped in various ways throughout the process.

Next, Williams introduced Welch and asked him to speak on behalf of the city of Lincoln.



Welch began by saying that the one person who deserved a great deal of thanks to Kathie Williams. He said, “This was Kathie’s brainstorm a few years ago, and now we see again in Lincoln what happens when people are very passionate about things, they put their mind to it and get people involved with them.”
 

He went on to say that he and Kathie had taken a walk around the courthouse and he enjoyed the talent and creativity that went into the trees and thanked all those who participated.

Before holding the countdown to the lighting, Williams noted that there were a large number of trees that are done “in memory of” a loved one passed. She asked the group to observe a moment of silence in honor of those lost.

Finally, she reminded everyone that there would be carriage rides starting at 6 p.m. She encouraged everyone to walk around and enjoy the trees and or take a ride and see them from the carriage perspective.

When the lights came on, there was a whoop of appreciation and applause, and even though it was cold, a large number of people did take the walk around the courthouse lawn.

Warm beverages were available from a couple of downtown resources, and a nice sized group of people gathered for the first carriage rides of the season.

The trees will remain on display throughout the holiday season with expectations that they will be removed on New Year’s weekend.

Please be sure to go check them all out, they are lovely in the daytime as well as at dark.

[Nila Smith]