‘Tree Lighting’ brightens up Montavilla’s Street Plaza

INCLUDES ILLUMINATING VIDEO | Oh! What fun they had — at this special event signaling the start of the Holiday season in the Montavilla business district. Then, learn about more events that take place through December …

In Montavilla’s Public Street Plaza, folks gather for a fun evening that culminates with lighting their tree, starting their Montavilla Winterfest Holiday Celebration.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

From all over the Montavilla, East Tabor, and Madison South neighborhoods, families started gathering on Saturday night, December 6, in Montavilla’s Public Street Plaza on SE 79th Avenue, north of Stark Street, for this now-annual Holiday Tree Lighting.

As the evening began, presented by the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA), neighbors warmed up on that chilly evening with cups of hot chocolate (with or without marshmallows).

One of the many neighbors to hang an ornament on the Christmas tree is “longtime” neighbor Tom Dailey.

In front of the tree, it’s the Arthur family taking a selfie.

Montavilla Trolley design artist Marilyn Shawe leads craft activities.

Many of the kids participated in crafts, led by Yaqui-Mexican-American artist Marilyn Shawe, who created the artwork for the “Montavilla Trolley” art installation that graces the plaza. [Learn more about the Montavilla Trolley project in a great article in Montavilla News: CLICK HERE.]

And, those who came were invited to select a Christmas tree ornament from a table and hang it on the community tree.

Enjoy our highlights of this year’s METBA Tree Lighting event:

METBA President Neil Mattson, of Montavilla Guitar Studio, thanked sponsors — which included Burgerville, artist Marilyn Shawe, and Red Shed Christmas Trees, METBA’s Christmas tree merchant.

Mattson told how the tree provider picked a tree to be displayed in the Public Street Plaza – however somehow, it somehow caught fire on the way to Portland. “But we now have a bigger and better tree,” he assured. By the way, Mattson said, this one isn’t a Noble fir; it’s a Nordmann Fir (scientific name Abies nordmanniana).

Montavilla neighborhood Burgerville representative Brianna Bauer gives out fresh chocolate chip cookies at the festive gathering.

METBA President Neil Mattson counts down to the tree’s lighting.

Then, Mattson invited the merry throng to join in the countdown to the tree’s illumination.

After the lighting, Mattson told East Portland News, “This is the kickoff for our Montavilla Winterfest, which includes Santa Saturday on December 13 and the Merry Montavilla Soirée on the 20th, and we hope everyone will come join us!”

Keeping folks warm with hot cocoa is METBA Board Member Tina Granzo, of City Beautiful Design.

In the glow of the illuminated tree, people begin celebration of the Holidays in Montavilla.

Find out all that the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association is doing, by checking out their website: CLICK HERE.

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