Sixteen area businesses sponsored Christmas trees that were decorated for the season at Browns Park in Big Lake.

It was the fourth annual event and its growth is evident — last year there were 10 trees sponsored, in 2018 there were nine and in 2017 just four. Browns Park is located south of city hall and the event was hosted by the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Scott Schulz of Great River Spine & Sport, originator of the program and 2019 Member of the Year said, “I’m thrilled that we have 16 sponsors of the Chamber’s trees. Four years ago we had four and it has grown steadily since.”

The 16 sponsors making Browns Park on the corner of Hwys. 10 and 25 include:

• Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon; 

• Big Lake Chamber of Commerce;

• Big Lake Police Dept.

• Cabot Lodge Securities;

• Citizens for Big Lake Freedom Rock;

• City of Big Lake;

• Edward Jones;

• Great River Federal Credit Union;

• Great River Spine & Sport;

• Howmet Aerospace;

• Minnco Credit Union;

• Old National Bank;

• Options Inc.;

• Protection Plus Home Inspections ;

• Riverwood Bank;

• Sherburne County United Way.

“In addition to our sponsors, I want to thank Tim Suchy of Edward Jones for his time and effort in making additional tree stands and with his son Luke, who put them up and repositioned them after a strong wind the first weekend,” said Schulz. “Big Lake ‘Do It Best’ Lumber donated the wood and materials for the stands. Chad and Heather Lofgren of Lofgren Construction donated a dump trailer that Jonathan Hopkins of Protection Plus Home Inspections and Tim used to get the trees and deliver them.”

Each sponsored business purchased the trees, then were allowed time to decorate their own tree with lights and ornaments in any way they saw fit. With their tree, the sponsors received a stand, electrical and hookups as well as removal and disposal of trees. They also received a recognition sign planted near their tree.