It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and downtown Cleveland will sparkle this Christmas season. New for 2020, Ocoee Street will have 30 light wrapped trees from Inman Street to Central Avenue. Rooftops along Ocoee Street and the Courthouse rooftop will be outlined with LED lights.
“MainStreet Cleveland is very excited to unveil these beautiful lights for the community to enjoy,” said Sharon Marr, Mainstreet Cleveland executive director. “We are very appreciative of Mayor Kevin Brooks for his leadership in this initiative and funding partners Allan Jones, Robert Thompson, and Logan-Thompson Law Office that is sponsoring the Bradley County Courthouse rooftop lights."
The 45-foot-tall Community Christmas Tree at the old post office on Broad Street is covered with 5,000 LED lights and will be illuminated at 6 p.m. on Friday. The public is invited to attend and enjoy a performance by First Baptist Church Choir along with greetings by Mayor Brooks and County Mayor Davis. Face coverings are required to attend the event.
The tree was planted in 1966 by then postmaster Robert Easterly as part of the Lady Bird Johnson beautification program. The tree was named the Community Christmas Tree by joint proclamation of the Cleveland City Council and Bradley County Commission on Nov. 26, 1990. A plaque commemorating Mr. Easterly was placed at the base of the tree in 2019 by the Allan Jones Foundation.
Walk through a Festival of Lights at First Street square, at the intersection of Parker and 1st Street. It features a 20-foot Christmas tree, an 8-foot lighted reindeer perfect for photo ops, and 8,000 lights on the trees in the park. This was a new addition for 2019 and sponsored by Mainstreet Cleveland; the tree was donated by United Community Bank.
Thirty lighted snowflakes and snowman banners top off the street light poles.
“The City with Spirit will again shine bright with the Christmas Spirit this holiday season,” said Mayor Brooks. “I am grateful for the hard work and fundraising efforts of MainStreet Cleveland and Sharon Marr for making this Christmas wish come true for Downtown Cleveland. We must especially thank Mr. Allan Jones and the many other donations that made the new LED lights possible.”
In addition, downtown businesses are adding to the sparkle. Visit the Christmas Park at Bank of Cleveland with a second 8-foot reindeer and a 40-foot lighted skyline wreath between the Main office and the Home Loan Center on Bobby Taylor Avenue. A holiday window contest is now underway for retailers and business.
“In a year that the word ‘cancel’ has had to be used so many times, we are excited to bring extra Christmas cheer to downtown Cleveland," said Ms. Marr. "And please Shop Local, it is more important now than ever to support local shops and restaurants."
All displays, trees, and lights will be shining bright by Friday. For more information visit www.mainstreetcleveland.com or Mainstreet Cleveland on social media.