Will Sallisaw add tall tree to its Christmas display?

Christmas in July is a month-long celebration inspired by the traditions and themes of Christmas.

But Sallisaw City Commissioners aren’t waiting around as they consider what Christmas in December might look like in the city.

For Ward 3 Commissioner Julian Mendiola, he took the approach Tuesday during the city’s annual budget meetings that if you ask about it, it might become reality.

He asked about the city having a large, artificial, lighted, animated and musical Christmas tree similar to what is on display in Van Buren, Ark. Of course, money talks, and City Manager Keith Skelton listened.

“A 20-foot [tree] is about $33,000 plus shipping,” Skelton told the commissioners while showing a website offering commercial Christmas trees.

So how can the city fund such a purchase?

“GRDA (Grand River Dam Authority) provides $25,000 a year in community funds. Typically, in the past, I’ve kind of divvied up [those funds for community needs]. We’ve spent some of the money here in the council chambers for the AV equipment, tables, chairs, etc. over the last couple of years. I’ve also allowed the chamber to utilize $2,500 for the Fourth of July festival, $2,500 for Diamond Daze, things like that,” Skelton said. “So right now, I’ve got a full $25,000. I’d like to keep $5,000 set aside for the chamber for at least two more events for the year. I could use $20,000 of those funds to go toward a Christmas tree if you want to look at something like this.”

Skelton, speaking extemporaneously providing the commissioners with information regarding Mendiola’s question, suggested that about $20,000 from GRDA funds could be used, with the remainder provided from city coffers or from corporate sponsors or community donations.

“I’ve seen all kinds of different costs [for the trees], all different heights. This is a 20foot price, so it gives you an idea,” Skelton told the commissioners.

For comparison, Ward 2 Commissioner Josh Bailey asked about the height of the Van Buren tree.

“Oh, it’s probably 30-foot,” Mayor Ernie Martens speculated. “It’s tall.”

Bailey said that if Sallisaw were to purchase a tree, he would prefer it not be smaller than the one in Van Buren. Trees that are 30 feet tall cost about $70,000, and 40-foot-tall trees are about $150,000.

For further comparison, the Christmas tree that is the centerpiece for Chickasha’s Festival of Lights is 172 feet tall. The artificial Christ Tree in Enid is 122 feet tall, which was previously 140 feet tall when it was a live-cut tree. A Christmas tree in Stonewall, La., located south of Shreveport near the Texas state line, is the world’s tallest at 300 feet tall.

No decision was made about purchasing a tree, but Skelton asked the commissioners to consider the information he provided.