Moving from Jeannine Street in the north part of town, Ironton’s Christmas tree is now home in Rotary Square.

This year’s tree, a short-needled spruce, was donated by Jessica Kennedy, who just wanted to do something nice for Ironton, said her sister, Sharon Bradshaw.

“She’s been waiting for two straight years (to donate),” said Bradshaw.

Kenney, who is undergoing physical therapy, will not be able to attend the lighting, but Bradshaw said she would take lots of pictures for her to have.

“This means a lot to her,” Bradshaw said. “She didn’t want a lot of publicity. She just wanted to do something for the town.”

For more than 40 years, trees have been donated to the City of Ironton and placed in the hole at Rotary Square that was dug in the early 1970s, said street superintendent Mike Pemberton.

Pemberton and other city workers, as well as Tim Collins and J.D. McDaniel from Ironton City Municipal Court’s community service program, spent the afternoon hauling the tree through town and setting it up in the square.

Pemberton said the approximately 35-foot tree had to have about 10 feet shaved of the end so it would fit in its stand. He also estimated that about 10 strands of lights would be used to fill the tree, as well as a 2-foot star topper.

Pemberton said the tree tradition sets a good tone for the season.

“It gives the Christmas spirit to everybody,” he said. “And the kids enjoy it, I’m sure.”