Description
For many years, the lighting of McMinnville’s giant sequoia tree has been the moment that officially kicks off the holiday season. Every year, families line Third Street to watch the Santa Parade, where twinkling floats and joyful music lead to the grand finale, Santa himself arriving on a fire truck to light the towering sequoia next to the library, filling the park with holiday magic.
But behind that magic is a very real effort. While the lights are up year-round, months of weather and the intervention of some otherwise friendly squirrels mean that maintenance is needed each year to get the tree holiday-ready.
It takes a team of highly trained professionals using specialized equipment to safely install and reposition thousands of lights high in the branches. The cost of this work is significant, roughly $15,000 each year.
For many years, the McMinnville Downtown Association has proudly partnered with the City of McMinnville to bring the Santa Parade and Tree Lighting to our community. When the City of McMinnville faced budget constraints this year and could no longer fund the tree lighting, the McMinnville Downtown Association stepped in to ensure the tradition continued, though the cost is well beyond what our small nonprofit can typically take on alone.
We believe some traditions are worth the extra effort.
This year, with the help of our reserve funds and the generous support of Visit McMinnville, the sequoia will shine once again this holiday season. But in future years, there’s some extra work that will require extra funds.
The tree’s lighting system, including its halo and light strands, along with the electrical infrastructure, will need major repairs in 2026. To prepare, we’re launching a community effort to ensure the sequoia’s glow continues for generations to come.
For those interested in sponsoring the project in a significant way, please contact emily@downtownmcminnville.com. We would love to recognize and celebrate the community members and businesses who help make this beloved tradition possible.
Together, we can keep McMinnville’s spirit shining bright, one light at a time.
Thank you to our incredibly generous donors:
Patricia Sorenson
Chaz Gibbons
Lori Payne
Sherry Pulvers
Baker Street Real Estate
Vortex Records
Sheila & Kellyn Barnes
Jean Lierman
Tirrah & John Switzer
Mitch Smalley & Tricia Prather
Cathy Applebee
Karen Jones
