A walking Christmas tree in Nevada City that rivals Stanford’s

The Stanford Tree is the Stanford Band’s mascot and the unofficial mascot of Stanford University. The Tree’s costume, newly created each year, is a prominent target for pranksters from rival schools, in particular Cal Berkeley.

Nestled in the Sierra foothills, Nevada City has its own tradition of a walking tree. In this case, the Walking Christmas Tree is a longtime tradition at Victorian Christmas.  This annual, family tradition takes place December 10, 14, 17 and 21, 2014, and features carriage rides, live entertainment, yuletide treats,  libations and Father Christmas.

The walking tree wanders up and down Broad Street greeting guests. “People joke that this is a happier tree than the Stanford tree,” says Cindy Moon, a Nevada City Chamber Commerce volunteer who is the current “Christmas Tree Lady.”

The handmade tree is a work of art, made of green satin, fleece, a hoop skirt and adorned with lights, ornaments and bells. The tree took about 40 hours to create.  Nevada City’s “Christmas Tree Lady” hands out candy canes to visitors. “The adults mob me more than the children,” Cindy jokes.

(Photo: Jeanne Duerst)