State’s Tallest Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree Arrives Nov. 4th

Outlets at Anthem to Display 70-foot Tree for 21st Consecutive Year

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Arizona’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree is scheduled to arrive Friday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 a.m. For 21 years, Outlets at Anthem, in North Phoenix, has been home to the state’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree. This year the breathtaking tree will arrive via a 40-foot flatbed truck and be ushered into place by none other than Santa Claus himself. Weather permitting, the tree will then be lifted into place with an industrial crane at 7:45 a.m., marking the perfect kick off to the holiday season.

“Nothing says the start of the holiday season like the arrival of the state’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree,” said JoAnn Truax, director of real estate and marketing, Outlets at Anthem. “For more than two decades we have been the perfect place for Valley residents to carry on holiday traditions and create new ones with the people they love. This year’s tree is a sight to see and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all ages to our open-air shopping space to celebrate the wonders of the holiday season.”

This year’s tree measures 70-feet tall and 20-feet wide and is being transported from a specialty lot at the California/Oregon border. Upon arrival at the Outlets at Anthem, a 10-person team of experts will spend two weeks – and more than 120 hours – using articulating boom lifts to shape and decorate the tree. The tree will also be topped with a three-foot tall copper star, which is a nod to the state’s official metal. More than 1.5 miles of LED lights, approximately 10,000 bulbs, will illuminate the tree and roughly 5,000 ornaments and bows will finish off the breathtaking spectacle. When completely decorated, the tree will weigh close to four tons.

To assure the tree is kept fresh all season long, it is housed in a custom-made seven-foot deep well and sprayed with nearly 120 gallons of fire retardant. Six industrial guy wires hold the tall tree in place and stabilize it during windy weather.

Spectators are invited to celebrate the official launch of the holiday season at the 21st annual tree lighting event, Saturday, Nov. 19, at Outlets at Anthem. For additional information, visit www.outletsanthem.com.

About Outlets at Anthem Located in Phoenix off the I-17, just 15 minutes north of the Loop 101, at Anthem Way, exit 229, Outlets at Anthem offers pedestrian and pet-friendly open-air shopping with top designer brands for men, women and children. Shoppers can sign up for an Elite Rewards card for additional discounts by visiting Customer Service. Teachers, military and seniors can save 10-percent at a wide selection of stores. The center features many amenities including a food court, free Wi-Fi services, flat-screen TVs, a children’s play area, more than 300 covered parking spots, electric car charging stations and more. For more information visit www.outletsanthem.com or www.facebook.com/OutletsatAnthem.

About Craig Realty Group Craig Realty Group is a shopping center development and management firm founded by Steven L. Craig and is based in Newport Beach, Calif. A leader in the development and management of high income-producing, upscale factory outlet centers, Craig Realty Group owns, operates and manages nearly five million square feet of existing retail development in eight states: Outlets at Anthem in Phoenix, Ariz.; Outlets at Barstow in Barstow, Calif.; Cabazon Outlets located near Palm Springs, Calif.; Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles, Calif.; Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente, Calif.; Tulare Outlets in Tulare, Calif; Outlets at Castle Rock located south of Denver, Colo.; Outlets at Loveland located north of Denver, Colo.; Outlets at Silverthorne located west of Denver, Colo.; Kapolei Commons, Oahu, Hawaii; East Hills Mall in St. Joseph, Miss.; Outlets at Conroe located near Houston, Texas; Outlets at Hillsboro in Hillsboro, Texas; Outlets at Traverse Mountain in Lehi, Utah; and Outlets at the Dells in Baraboo, Wis. Craig Realty Group founder Steve Craig previously developed Desert Hills Premium Outlets, Carlsbad Company Stores and Woodburn Company Stores, three of the most successful manufacturer outlet centers, and was instrumental in developing Camarillo Premium Outlets. For more information, visit www.craigrealtygroup.com.

Photos courtesy of Outlets at Anthem