A week late, and it’s a substitute, but Boise’s holiday tree is finally lit

By the glow of their candles, a Grove Plaza full of adults and children — and even the Grinch — counted down the lighting of Boise’s holiday tree. The original tree blew down, so the lighting was postponed for a week while a new tree was installed.

Mayor Dave Bieter, along with the Drawe family — Major Jeff Drawe and his wife, Lauren, along with their sons, Gavin, 11, and Tanner, 8 — representing the Idaho National Guard, flipped the switch as the crowd counted down from 10.

Around the tree are tags representing Wish List items from the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. People can take a tag and purchase the items for families of the shelter. The gifts can be dropped off at the WCA or Idaho Central Credit Union branch locations by Dec. 20.

This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 8:13 PM.