It’s almost time for the annual miracle on 53rd St. That’s the day that a small army of Boy Scouts and volunteers transforms the east side of the Mission into a forest of Christmas trees.
Trucks will arrive on Saturday, November 20, rolling in from points north and west carrying nearly a thousand freshly cut trees, over half a mile of garland, hundreds of wreaths and dozens of baskets. The volunteer army will unload the trucks; build a framework and stands for the trees; string lights; erect a shelter and displays for the wreaths and baskets; and set up a station for trimming tree trunks and bagging trees.
It’s an impressive operation that requires a clear plan, a master tactician and an energetic, well-choreographed workforce. Perhaps even more remarkable than the scope of the task is the fact that all of this – bare ground to finished forest – happens in just one day, one dawn-to-dusk day.
The always popular Shawnee Indian Mission Tree Sale opens to the public at noon on Tuesday, November 23rd. This year a record number of wreaths, the only item available for advance purchase, have been pre-sold, mostly to repeat customers.
It’s been said many times, many ways that the Mission trees are the freshest, fullest and most fragrant trees in town. That’s due to our long-standing relationships with premier tree farms and our insistence that the trees be harvested within a few days of their arrival in KC. This latest condition is rare among Christmas tree vendors. Hardware stores, discount chains and big box sellers stock trees that were harvested months ago, stacked and stored in fields or sometimes in lakes until the holiday season.
The word is out, our trees are in high demand and our customers are loyal. Plan to shop early and find just the right size, shape and type of tree. Last year the trees sold out in just 10 days!
