Gallery: Firemen battle snowdrifts, rain in their quest for annual Christmas tree
Despite a steady drizzle, the volunteers – 32 of whom returned Sunday morning from a weekend near Bass Lake where they battled snowdrifts before finding a near 60-foot picturesque tree – seemed to ignore the constant drizzle and once again, for the 100th time in Lemoore’s history, delivered a majestic eye-pleasing tree that currently graces the intersection at Fox and D streets.
Surprisingly, the wet weather may have been an anomaly. For some, who have regularly attended the annual Christmas tree raising, the damp weather was undoubtedly something of a surprise. There were many persons present who couldn’t remember the last time it rained the day of the tree’s arrival in Lemoore.
The constant drizzle may have also placed a damper on the usual throng of spectators, many of whom, year in and year out, enjoy watching the raising of the downtown tree. This time around, a handful of spectators showed up, most of them no doubt friends or members of the firemen’s families.
Oh well, the constant drizzle failed to discourage the volunteers, all of whom went about their regular duties, whether it was installing lights, operating the crane, or climbing the fire department’s ladder truck to hook up the electricity, a mission which in the past few years seems to have gone to fireman and notable electrician Kyle Reed.
It was Reed who organized and led this year’s excursion to the Sierras, the department’s annual quest for the perfect tree.
“The biggest thing is tradition,” said the tall, lanky volunteer fireman, who spends most of his workdays as an electrician with Reed Electric. “We’ve been doing it as far as I can remember. My dad did it. My grandpa did it. It’s just something we’ve always done.”
Reed certainly had his hands full this season. Not only was he this year’s “Christmas tree” chairman, but he’s the guy who gets to climb the ladder and affix the power to the tree. “We have our association (in the fire department) that appoints a chairman every year. This year was my year.”
Spending time on the end of a fire truck ladder comes easily to Reed. “I climb up and get the lights all straightened out. My brother Nick will go over and connect it onto the power poll.”
The Reed clan seems to enjoy heights.
The annual tradition has always been an essential part of the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department’s creed. “It’s just neat to come down here in the wintertime, with the parade and all that, and see that we accomplished something and gave back to the city,” said a pleased but soggy Reed.
As usual, the tree will be in place for this coming weekend’s annual Christmas Parade (Dec. 7), another Lemoore tradition. Big crowds – despite a threat of rain – are expected as the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce this year opted to extend the parade a block or so to accommodate increasingly large crowds. The parade is scheduled to begin promptly at 6 p.m.
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