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Area Preparing To Light Tree

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By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2007

Updated: 11/26/2007 11:11 pm

PORT TAMPA - With its latest Christmas tree healthy and growing, the community is gearing up for its annual tree-lighting ceremony.

"We're still working on the details," organizer Jill Buford said.

The ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at Spanish-American War Memorial Park, at Interbay and West Shore boulevards.

The park, which has hosted the event for a dozen years, is dedicated to the 16,000 U.S. troops who embarked from Port Tampa in 1898 to fight in the Spanish-American War in Cuba.

Last year, city contractors renovating the park mistakenly removed the original Christmas tree, which had grown to more than 35 feet.

The city replaced it with a 6-foot tree, which died, parks and recreation spokeswoman Linda Carlo said.

"It passed on," she said. "There were some soil issues. We took care of that, corrected it."

Carlo said the city planted a 100-gallon, 12-foot red cedar this summer.

"I think it's going to make a beautiful community tree," Buford said.

The ceremony will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, songs by school choirs and displays of oversized greeting cards along the fence facing West Shore, Buford said.

West Shore Elementary fifth-graders make cards each year for the school's annual card contest, she said.

In addition to the tree lighting, the Port Tampa City Woman's Club is planning a holiday concert at American Legion Post 138.

The outdoor concert, featuring six bands, begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the post, 5535 W. Prescott St.

"We've got a little bit of everything," club President Maria Chesser said. "It's going to be a little bit of country, a little bit of jazz, a little bit of rock 'n' roll."

Tickets are $8 in advance, or two for $15, and $10 at the door. Ages 15 and younger will be admitted free. Proceeds will benefit the woman's club and neighborhood projects.

The club has been working to renovate the memorial park for years. Part of the renovation, including a flagpole and sidewalks, is complete. The gazebo, which the club hopes to rehabilitate or replace, has been cordoned off by the city for not being up to code.

Club member Chris Malzone said she doesn't expect the gazebo to be available for the tree lighting.

"It's too short a time," she said.

Reporter Michael H. Samuels can be reached at (813) 835-2109 or msamuels@tampatrib.com.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Port Tampa's annual tree-lighting ceremony

WHEN: 4 p.m. Dec. 8

WHERE: Spanish-American War Memorial Park, at Interbay and West Shore boulevards

COST: free

IF YOU GO

WHAT: second annual Port Tampa City Woman's Club holiday concert

WHEN: 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: American Legion Post 138, 5535 W. Prescott St.

COST: $8 in advance, or two for $15, and $10 at the door; free for ages 15 and younger

BRING: chairs and blankets; no coolers allowed. Drinks and food will be for sale.

CALL: (813) 831-9705

Keyword: Port Tampa Tree, for a multimedia presentation on Port Tampa's Christmas tree lighting. Keyword: Port Tampa Tree, for a multimedia presentation on Port Tampa's Christmas tree lighting.

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