BY JOHN HOPKINS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
For 25 years, JoAnn Hollerbach's 35-foot Norway spruce has been a part of her family. This holiday season, the tree's family is growing to include Greater Cincinnati.
The Anderson Township family donated the tree for the Fountain Square holiday display. When the tree is fully decorated and lighted at 6 p.m. Friday, it will signal the start of the holiday shopping season downtown.
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SCHEDULE
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"Light Up The Square" events schedule for Friday:
3 p.m.: Salvation Army Brass Band performs holiday classics
3:30 p.m.: Showbiz Kids perform holiday dancing and singing
4:30 p.m.: Ensemble Theatre troupe performs songs from Alice in Wonderland
5 p.m.:Yuletide Brass performs
5:30 p.m.: Choirs from St. Xavier High School, Loveland Middle School and Marva Collins School perform
5:45 p.m.: Santa Claus makes spotlighted appearances on skyscraper ledges
6 p.m.: Official lighting of Fountain Square by Mayor Roxanne Qualls
6:15 to 8 p.m.: Photos with Santa Claus in Tower Place Mall
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"What better time than Thanksgiving to be giving something," Mrs. Hollerbach said of the tree, which will be replanted in a county park after the holiday season.
JoAnn and her husband, Arthur, bought the tree 25 years ago to celebrate their first Christmas in their new home. At the time, their children were 2 and 4. The tree was no bigger than 5 feet high. Once planted in their front yard, it flourished.
Now, the spruce is being dressed with 10,000 miniature white lights in preparation for Light up the Square. Fountain Square will be dressed up, but the Hollerbachs' tree will occupy center stage.
"I've been a native Cincinnatian for a long time, and I enjoy taking advantage of all the things we have," Mrs. Hollerbach said. "Seeing the tree lighted on Fountain Square has always been a family favorite."
The square will also feature Santa's Toy Factory and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission's ice skating rink. Light up the Square, presented by Target, is expected to begin at 2 p.m. Friday with entertainment, including the Cincinnati Ballet Nutcracker; holiday classics by the Salvation Army Brass Band; and selections from St. Xavier High, Loveland Middle and Marva Collins schools' choirs.
Snowden, the mascot from Target stores, and Raggedy Ann and Andy will skate throughout the afternoon. Children can take photos with Santa Claus in Tower Place mall from 6:15 to 8 p.m.
About 5,000 people attend the lighting ceremony annually. The Hollerbachs say they'll be among them.
