A 20-foot evergreen was erected at the corner of Broadway and Fountain Street Tuesday to become a new downtown Christmas icon.

The tree was donated by the county from its White Woods County Park near Twin Lakes. Albert Lea Mayor Bob Haukoos and County board chairman Dave Mullenbach went out to the field, accompanying the members of Destination: Albert Lea, who undertook the revival of the Christmas tradition, to choose the piece.

Karen Trow, a DAL member, said the group plans to have a lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 29, inviting choirs and a Santa Claus. Downtown businesses will extend their business hours, encouraging people to walk around after the event. Drawings for $50 prizes will take place.

The city offered the site near the city parking lot &045; the same spot where a hospice tree used to stand. City and county workers helped transport and erect the tree.

&uot;Many communities are putting more Christmas lights downtown,&uot; Haukoos said. &uot;They bring Christmas spirit to the city, and I think it’s good.&uot;

Mullenbach expects the municipal tree to become a symbol of the inter-governmental relationship between the city and county. &uot;This shows the people that we are working together more visibly than anything else. It’s good to cooperate in not only serious stuff but fun things like this.&uot;

DAL and and the Chamber of Commerce welcome donations for the utility expense for the tree and other downtown light displays. A check can be sent to Christmas Funds, Albert Lea/Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, at 143 W. Clark St., Albert Lea.