A traditional fir tree may say Christmas in Rockefeller Plaza, but in here in South Florida back in 2012, that just wasn’t tropical enough for the folks planning West Palm Beach’s downtown holiday celebrations.
With that sentiment, Sandi Tree was born.
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the masses gathered once again for a tree lighting to celebrate the 35-foot, 25-ton sand sculpted centerpiece of the city’s annual Holiday in Paradise. Sandi is made fresh every year at the foot of Clematis Street, capturing a new theme each time. And the tree always comes with a party including sand sculpted friends and, in more recent years, a Ferris wheel.
Each night through New Year’s Eve, Sandi is bathed in lights and music.
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Location: Sandi Tree sits on the lawn at 100 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.
Hours: Music and light shows and the Ferris wheel run are 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 30 with light shows starting on the quarter hour.
The nightly viewing is free. The Ferris wheel, running the same hours, is $5 per person per ride, plus taxes and fees.
Holiday in Paradise is presented by Florida Power & Light Co.
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On New Year’s Eve, the city will host a celebration with live music and a DJ. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
And, at midnight, fireworks. In the city’s words, “a short, explosive, grand finale-style fireworks display will ignite over the Intracoastal Waterway!” It’s sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: World’s largest sand Christmas tree kicks off West Palm’s holidays
Reporting by Sonja Isger and Greg Lovett, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
