The holidays might be months away, but city officials in New Britain are already looking ahead to December. The Christmas tree they once lit was cut down because of construction and maintenance issues, so they have purchased an artificial tree for $36,000.
The Guide Family Christmas Tree stood in Central Park in for decades, but officials said it was diseased and rotting.
“It was part of the goodwill and spirit of the season, we just couldn’t have that go away,” New Britain Parks and Recreation Director Erik Barbieri said. “So we decided to look into an artificial tree.”
City officials said $36,000 was the lowest bid they could find for a 65-foot tree with LED lights.
“We wanted to put something down there that will be maintenance free and lasts forever,” Barbieri said. “It will have LED lights so we won’t have to string them every year which just makes economic sense.”
City officials said the tree will be a present to storeowners too, bringing more foot traffic to the downtown area.
“They sing carols and there's a lot of people outside more than you would see in New Britain any other day,” Keila Navarro of Dulce’s Cupcakes said. “I see a lot of potential.”
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The tree should be up and ready the day after Thanksgiving.
