Community Gathers as Kesey Square Christmas Tree Is Raised, Downtown Prepares for Holiday Night Out

Before dawn on Wednesday community partners and heavy machinery converged at Willamette and Broadway to raise a roughly 30 foot tall grand fir in Kesey Square. The tree is the second annual installation coordinated last year by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Eugene Inc. Sierra Pacific Industries donated the tree, which officials said came from forestland in the Middle Fork area of Lane County and is about 24 years old.

EWEB crews used a small crane to hoist the trunk into a welded metal stand built by students at Lane Community College, and support wires were secured to nearby buildings to steady the tree. The city hosted a tree lighting as part of downtown Eugene’s Holiday Night Out celebration on Friday, which included performances, snow and light shows, Santa’s appearance and extended shopping hours that kept businesses open later into the evening.

The morning installation and the weekend festivities underline several local priorities. For retailers and restaurants on downtown streets the lighting and extended shopping hours are a predictable boost during a critical season for sales and tips. For students at Lane Community College the project provided a visible example of vocational skills being used in a public civic setting. The donation from a local timber company also ties the holiday display to Lane County industry and working forests.

At the same time community gatherings in winter raise public health and equity considerations. Outdoor events generally pose lower risk for respiratory virus transmission than indoor events, but any concentration of people can be harder on older adults and people with chronic conditions. Accessible seating, clear pedestrian routes, reliable transit connections and lighting are important to ensure that the celebration is inclusive for people with mobility limitations and families with young children.

The tree and lighting ceremony reflect ongoing efforts to activate downtown public space during the holiday season, while exposing the need for thoughtful planning that balances local economic benefit with health safety and universal access. As downtown hosts seasonal celebrations residents and officials will continue to weigh how to make these moments welcoming and safe for all segments of the community.