Elgin woman's spruce to grace Daley Plaza for holidays

For four years, Donna Atkinson of Elgin has been trying to get her Christmas tree a prime spot in Chicago's downtown.

That moment is finally here.

The 57-foot-tall Colorado blue spruce will grace Chicago's Daley Plaza and lighted at the annual ceremony on Nov. 25.

“This is great. I'm excited,” Atkinson said.

The tree already was big when Atkinson moved into her Elgin home about 1990.

“It's probably grown about 15 feet since,” she said.

Atkinson said she saw a newspaper notice four years ago seeking potential Christmas trees for the plaza and started entering the contest.

“The third time wasn't the charm, but maybe the fourth will be,” she said in her nomination.

Her tree will be cut down Thursday, and transported to Daley Plaza.

“Everybody is going to be able to enjoy it,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson's 15 minutes of fame aside, she acknowledges she's glad to get rid of the tree, which was encroaching about eight feet into her neighbor's lot, she said.

“It was taking up too much space,” she said. “It covers up half the house. I hope it travels well and it still looks good when it gets down there.”

Atkinson and her family will join Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for the tree lighting ceremony.

“It's going to look great. It's a nice adventure,” she said. “My friends and family are looking forward to celebrating in Chicago. I'm ready to flip the switch!”

The ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. with live performances by Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Show, Hansel & Gretel — A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat and a special appearance by The Grinch from Dr. Suess' “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” It will be followed by the lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.

Atkinson's tree will be on display at Daley Plaza through Jan. 6.