CAMBRIDGE — As mind-boggling as it seems, Christmas is no more than a month away and Cambridge is ready!

On Nov. 11, Amy Craig, Billie Sue Norton, and Bill Craig trekked to H&R Christmas Tree farm on Rt. 16 to harvest the tree for the 5th Cambridge Christmas tree lighting in Spring Valley. Cutting, hauling, erecting, and decorating a 17’, 150 lb. tree is no small task. But volunteers handled the affair from 9 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. with efficiency and determination. You could tell they’ve done this before.

The Christmas Tree Committee includes: Amy Craig, Billie Sue Norton, Gage Thomas, Linda Henry, Michael Wheatley, Paul Hurley, and Patti Tieder. Volunteers included: Bill Craig, who wielded a chain saw to trim the tree and help his wife Amy; John Tieder from Tieder Electric brought two huge ladders and strung the myriad lights from top to bottom; and Daniel Muffoletto, owner of Custom Welding and Fabrication without whom the tree would have stayed at the tree farm.

Volunteer individuals and volunteer groups participate in the event, including the Garden Club who created wreaths for the courthouse front doors as part of the lighting ceremony.

Entertainment for Saturday’s event features the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School band and chorus. The ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. with emcee Troy Hill, greetings from Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley, and a welcome from County Council President Ricky Travers.

For youngsters Santa Claus will help light the tree and take photos. Also for the kids this year – glow sticks! Refreshments include cookies and hot cider.

Ms. Norton says 300-400 people usually attend and many take a side trip to see the Rescue Fire Department’s Christmas Garden in the old firehouse. “It’s a nice holiday,” she adds. “It’s really fun finding the tree, cutting it down, and decorating it.”