Tomorrow is the lighting of the Chadron Community Christmas tree in the Downtown Plaza at 2nd and Main, but yesterday was Arrival Day for the tree.
Staff from the Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands cut, delivered, and erected the tree yesterday.
    Although they won’t cut, deliver, and erect a tree for you, the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands is selling Christmas tree cutting permits again this year.Â
. The $10 permit entitles the purchaser to harvest one ponderosa pine or Eastern red cedar, measuring up to 20 feet tall. They can be bought in person at the Forest HQ on North Main in Chadron or at the Bessey Ranger District office in Halsey.
They can also be purchased online for an additional $2.50 processing fee at Recreation.gov.
Maps identifying areas open to Christmas tree cutting are attached to the permits purchased in person and can be downloaded and print online.
       The U-S Forest Service is the official featured agency in the Every Kid in a Park Initiative for fourth graders. Each participating child is eligible for a free Christmas tree permit. Just enter the pass or voucher number when purchasing the permit and it’s free.
As for the Chadron Community Christmas Tree, the other partners are NPPD, which is providing the bucket truck to decorate the tree, the City of Chadron, and the Chadron Chamber of Commerce.Â
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is tomorrow at 6:00 and includes hot chocolate and chili from the Ridge, but it’s preceded by live entertainment at 5:00.
It’s followed by the Parade of Pets around 6:15 and at 6:30 the KCSR/KBPY Parade of Lights with Santa on the last float.
The Dawes County Commissioners and county employees are hosting an Open House at the Courthouse with refreshments from 6:30-8:00 to show off the Festival of Trees, which opened this week. Entertainment will be presented by the Methodist Church Handbell Choir.