Downtown S.Falls Will Have a Different Look This Holiday Season

Downtown Sioux Falls will have just a little bit of a different look this holiday season.

The 50-foot Christmas tree near the First United Methodist Church at 401 South Spring Avenue is being taken down, and replaced with an artificial tree.

The Colorado Spruce, a mainstay here in the Sioux Falls area for nearly 30 years is dying of old age and needs to be cut down to prevent it from becoming a safety hazard.

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According to a story inside Pigeon 605, the lighting of the tree located between 12th and 13th streets has become a Christmas tradition in the downtown area for nearly 3 decades. The church plans to carry on that tradition by replacing the spruce with a 40-foot artificial tree, resembling a mountain pine.

Pigeon 605 says the new artificial tree will be erected each year near the spot of the original tree so that it will still be visible to all motorists driving by on Minnesota Avenue.

The church is laying a concrete pad just a few feet away from the site of the original tree that will be slightly elevated to help increase the visibility of the new artificial tree.

The original Colorado spruce has had quite a storied history here in Sioux Falls that you can read more about inside the Pigeon 605 article.

The Pigeon 605 article states that First United Methodist Church contracted out an arborist to help them evaluate the state of the current tree. It was determined that the spruce was nearing the end of its life cycle and would need to be replaced.

Once the tree is cut down, the church is planning on using the leftover wood from the spruce to help build some benches and various other items that can be used by others in the community.

Pigeon 605 reports that First United Methodist Church will still be holding its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, (November 26) beginning at 6:00 PM.

They welcome the public to attend the annual event.

Source: Pigeon 605

People Say They Hate These 7 Things About Sioux Falls the Most

In the last few years, I've had the opportunity to live in another state after living in Sioux Falls for a decade. Then late last year I moved back to the SooFoo, and I am super happy to have returned.

Sioux Falls has just about everything I like. It's big enough to have lots of opportunities for work and recreation.

Being on the western edge of the 'Midwest' and the eastern edge of the 'Western Frontier' we've got a nice balance of the individualistic pioneer spirit and a strong urban 'We're in this together' attitude.

But, of course, not everything is perfect. People have complaints. On the social-network Reddit, people have even listed their complaints about Sioux Falls. Specifically, the things that hate about living here.

A Survival Guide For Your First Winter in South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the rest of the Sioux Empire (AKA southeastern South Dakota) are welcoming thousands of new residents every year.

Many of you new folks will be experiencing your first eastern South Dakota winter. While it doesn't usually get as bad as our Dakota friends up north, I speak from experience when I say it can get a little rough.

MORE: What Every South Dakotan Should Be Doing to Prepare for Winter

So, to help ease you into winter in Sioux Falls and South Dakota here are some winter survival tips:

Gallery Credit: RESULTS-TOWNSQUARE MEDIA SIOUX FALLS

Source: Downtown Sioux Falls Will Have a Different Look This Holiday Season

Filed Under: Sioux Falls

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