GRAM holiday tree came from Cadillac

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The holiday tree has been put in place at the Grand Rapids Art Museum Wege Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

24 Hour News 8 was there Monday morning when a semi-truck brought the 42-foot tall blue spruce to town.

The months-long process to select the tree was finalized with the winner coming from the front yard of Cadillac Industrial Supply Co. in Cadillac. Employees Jerry Tyler, Darryl Bamm and Rich Baldwin originally planted the tree at the business in 1978. Bamm and Baldwin still work there, as does Tyler's daughter, Robin Peterson, who told 24 Hour News 8 the history of the tree.

Dutchman Tree Farm in nearby Manton then bought the tree, which is now on display in Grand Rapids.

"We are all happy that so many people will be able to enjoy our tree," Peterson said.

Crews will put 40,000 LED lights on the tree.

Here is the breakdown of the outdoor lighting ceremony on Friday --

-- Lighting ceremony begins at 5:30-5:45 p.m.
-- Special skating performance will help open the ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle
-- There will be free horse-drawn carriage rides from 6-8 p.m.
-- There will be a $5 admission fee (free for GRAM members) to attend "Magic & Music - A Surreal Performance" -- 7-8:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

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Grand Rapids Art Museum