Stevens Point Christmas tree installed at public square

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) - Stevens Point’s Christmas tree was installed Tuesday downtown at the Mathias Mitchell Public Square. The white pine was donated by Tim and Marilyn Swiecki and will stand about 45 feet tall when decorated.

The tree will be lit at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the start of the downtown Holiday Parade.

Holiday Parade

The Downtown Business Improvement District organizes the parade to kick off the holiday shopping season.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year. I get to light up the downtown with my magic wand and we stroll down Main Street (renamed Holiday Road for the season) to the giant tree in the public square,” said Mayor Mike Wiza. “Our crews have been putting up the decorations for over a week now and we’ll all be ready to show off what an amazing community we have.”

The parade’s theme is “Celebrating our Past, Lighting up our Future.” People can register a float.

Shop Small Week

The celebration continues with Shop Small Week, a national campaign to promote shopping at local small businesses during the holiday season.

Participating downtown businesses will stamp shoppers’ passports. People can pick up passports at the square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, or at participating businesses after Nov. 28.

Passports must be turned in by 4 p.m. Dec. 5 to be eligible for prizes. More details and highlights will be shared on social media.

Click here to download the WSAW news app or WSAW First Alert weather app.

Click here to submit a news tip or story idea.