Happy Holidays from the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion! Jim Calhoun of Redding Electric Utility joins us on the podcast to kick off the Holiday Season.

Jim Calhoun has been an arborist for close to 45 years, and began his career with Asplundh Tree Expert Company in Trinity County. In 2003 Calhoun took on the roll of planning, harvesting, and lighting the tree as the supervising arborist for the City of Redding, Redding Electric Utility. This is the 104th year of the annual Downtown Tree Lighting and will be located in the original location on the interseciton of Market and Yuba Street.

Jim shares the process, history and the hard work that goes into making this Downtown tradition possible each year. We would like to thank all of the partners who make this tradition possible: Sierra Pacific Industries, Headrick Logging, Dura Crane, Cal Trans, California Highway Patrol, and the City of Redding.

This years tree was harvested 2 miles past Lake McCumber in Shingletown.
Over 1500 lights have been decorated on the 72 ft White Fir Tree.
It takes a crew of 7 REU workers to harvest and install the tree in Downtown.

The Tree Lighting lands on December 1, 2023, Downtown Redding's First Friday.
Sip, Shop and Support Downtown Busineses.
First Friday is from 5 p.m. - to when businesses close.
The Tree lights up right at 7 p.m.

We are excited to partner once again with Kool April Nites and the Shasta Classic Car Club for a presentation of lighted decorated classic cars and the Enterprise High School Music Departments Victorian Carolers and Band performing under the tree.

There are many Holiday events happening in the Redding Cultural District, check out Visit Redding's compresive list of Holiday activities that are fun for the whole family: https://visitredding.com/redding-holiday-events-guide/