Bay Citys 2019 Christmas tree honors couples 50th wedding anniversary – MLive.com

BAY CITY, MI - One local couple is giving a special gift to the Bay City community for this holiday season.

Gerald and Patricia Pett are donating their beloved blue spruce tree as the Christmas tree in Wenonah Park this year. The tree will be set up by Dave and Sally Clements, who are in their fourth year of finding and decorating a Christmas tree for Bay City.

The Clements seek out trees each year that are beautiful but need removal for one reason or another. Gerald Pett said his 35-foot blue spruce is damaging their patio system and the roots are heading for the house foundation.

But the tree has sentimental value for the Petts. Theyve had the tree for approximately half of their 50-year marriage. In 1995, Gerald was approached by a neighbor who had bought a nearby lot and was looking to get rid of two small pine trees.

Gerald Pett took one of the trees and planted it in his yard. Nearly 25 years later, the tree is a full and healthy specimen. Gerald said that he took care of the tree year after year, constantly trimming it and fertilizing it when needed.

Over the years, the tree grew alongside the couple. Gerald Pett made a cutout in the tree for the two to enjoy a swinging bench beneath it. The tree was decorated for the holidays, with bright lights and large ornaments as long as it was feasible to do so.

In the last five years, however, the tree got too big for the Petts to handle decorating. So they donated the tree to the Bay City community. The couple released a statement that said, In honor of our upcoming 50th wedding anniversary on January 23, 2020, we donate this tree and wish a merry Christmas to all.

Dave and Sally Clements made arrangements to have the tree picked on Monday, Nov. 25 and transported to Wenonah Park.

Moving the tree to Wenonah Park is no easy task. Because of its location, it will have to be lifted over their neighbors fence and navigated onto a flatbed trailer. Gerald Pett said.

The tree will be then decorated with festive decorations and nearly a mile of string lights.

The tree will be lit during the fourth annual tree lighting ceremony in Wenonah Park on Friday, Nov. 29.

The Petts are attending the ceremony to bid farewell to their tree. They will get to witness the tree that stood guard over their house for over half of their marriage bring delight to hundreds of children and their families.

I hope I dont cry, said Patricia Pett.

The lighting ceremony and the celebration of Santas arrival starts at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29. Santa Claus will put on a special performance before meeting area children and Miss Bay County will also sign books after the tree lighting. Refreshments will be provided by St. Laurent Brothers and McDonalds and food trucks will also be on location.

Carriage rides are available for $5 as well as free ice skating at the pavilion.

Children are asked to bring flashlights to help welcome Santa Claus to Wenonah Park.

The Santa and reindeer light display that was rescued from the roof of the F.P. Horak building before the building was demolished will also be lit at this time. The display was installed atop the Bay County Museum on Thursday, Nov. 21.

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Bazaars, performances and other holiday season events in mid-Michigan

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Bay Citys 2019 Christmas tree honors couples 50th wedding anniversary - MLive.com