By Chris Yow
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The decorations may be a tad early, and there may be more than usual, but the “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree is decorated in Trussville for another holiday season.
The tree has been decorated for many, many years, although no one in the town can say exactly how long the tradition has been taking place. This year, a red bow is atop the tree with several ornamental red balls throughout. A photo frame of Charlie Brown even swings from the tree.
A sparsely-decorated pine tree pays homage to the Christmas tree from the cartoon “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in which the title character picks a small sapling tree from a tree farm of large, full trees. Charlie Brown then brings the tree to the set of a Christmas play, and is ridiculed for the small size of the tree.
When Charlie Brown takes the tree and returns home, he passes by Snoopy’s doghouse with a blue ribbon for first prize decorations. He takes an ornament and puts it on the tree, and the branch bends, prompting Charlie Brown to cry, “I’ve killed it!” He then runs away leaving the spaling behind. All the while, the other characters see the tree, and use decorations from the doghouse to continue decorating the tree, and take it to Charlie Brown.
When the news was posted on the Facebook group “What’s Happening in Trussville,” citizens were excited as the Christmas season is nearing.
“Such a wonderful tradition. Thanks to whoever does this act of kindness for our community,” citizen Elaine Cox posted in the comment section of the post.
Susan Anderson said, “I came around the corner (Sunday) morning and there it was! All the kudzu was gone and it was perfect!”
Passerby motorists can see the tree from the road, and it makes for a good break when traffic is heavy on Chalkville Road. The tree is located near Green Drive on the northbound side of Chalkville Road just past Woodland Acres.