Susanville Plans to Dress Up in Christmas Spirit
Christmas Tree Contest for Residences, Business Houses and Organizations
December 18, 1939
Susanville plans to “dress up” in the proper spirit of the Christmas holidays this year was the announcement made today by George McDow as secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce.
In cooperation with the outdoor Christmas Tree Association of California, a Christmas tree contest for all trees erected and decorated on the streets of this city will be carried on.
Many other cities in this vicinity have seen the increased beauty brought to the appearance of a city during the Christmas holidays by the placing of trees on lawns, in front of business houses, in the yards of organization buildings and many other places.
Murray Doyle, chairman of the community betterment committee of the Chamber of Commerce will be in charge of this contest, which he hopes will be actively entered into by every person in this community.
The contest is to be divided into three sections, with a prize or prizes to be awarded in each section.
One section has been designated as the “organization division,” to include any organization such as lodges, clubs, schools and any other organized group such as Scouts or Camp Fire Girls. In this section there will be one prize given for the best tree regardless of size or decorations.
The “best commercial tree,” will be given one prize for the best tree erected in front of any business house in the district. The tree must be decorated by the business itself and lighted at the required hours. All merchants are urged to cooperate in this plan and help give our Main Street an appearance of a Christmas paradise and create a greater holiday spirit for shoppers and the general public.
In possibly the largest classification the “residence division,” will participate for three prizes, for trees placed on lawns or different places on their property. The three prizes are to be one for the best tree under five feet in height: the best tree between the heights of five and ten feet and the best tree between 10 and 20 feet in height.
The chief requirement of the contest is to be sure and see that all trees, in all divisions of the contest, are lighted at night, in order to qualify for the contest.
All trees must be erected by December 10 and kept lit from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. from that time until January 2.
Judging will be done Between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The names of the judges, and the amounts of the prizes will be announced later by Murray Doyle.
