New 20-foot tree is heart of Christmas Walk and Avenue of Lights on 5th Avenue South
November 27, 2019
Palm and coconut trees ablaze with thousands of lights with silver-and-gold garlands and traditional wreaths adorning doors and lampposts
Naples, FL: (November 27, 2019) . . . Although Naples lacks snow-building materials, the snowbird-style winter wonderland on 5th Avenue South lures holiday revelers with its luxury stores, cool boutiques and festive ambience. This year, even though Thanksgiving falls late in November, the lights display will see more than 75,000 people during the holiday season.
Bruce Barone, Jr., executive director of the 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District (BID), says the return of the annual Christmas Walk and Avenue of Lights features a brand new 20-foot artificial Christmas tree fully lit with 10,000 LED lights, donated by Naples residents David and Jerri Hoffmann and the 5th Avenue South BID.
“Nothing awes and inspires crowds like a well-lit Christmas tree,” believes Barone. Built on years of research and development, the new 15-function Christmas tree, with its RBG color changing LED lighting, is designed to last longer and shine brighter. “The new tree is computer-controlled and can be programmed with new sequence animations every year, thereby spreading the investment over multiple years while still ensuring new and fresh content each year to enhance visitors’ experience as they view the displays,” he says.
“5th Avenue South is the headquarters for the official Naples tree,” Barone continues. The spectacular holiday display includes life-sized figurines accenting the Avenue with Santa, nutcrackers, 12-foot toy soldiers and 8-foot snowmen created by Trimmers Holiday Décor, a 30-year-old professional holiday lighting and Christmas décor company.
“We opted for an artificial tree over a traditional living tree this year because an artificial tree has a fuller, classier look. It will also last for years, which makes it more economical,” says Barone. “Our Christmas tree can be set up much earlier and left up longer. It’s safe and flame retardant and helps prevent the cutting down of a live tree,” he adds.
This year’s Christmas in Naples is a two-day celebration Dec. 6 & 7, offering a live Nativity scene, an operatic concert, snow, ice skating and skate rentals, a visit from Santa, and a new culinary tradition: on-street Long Table dining with several of 5th Avenue South’s finest restaurants. The official tree lighting ceremony in Sugden Plaza by Naples Mayor Bill Barnett will take place at 6:30 pm on Friday, Dec. 6. A day-long Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 7 will bring traders and artisans where visitors can explore products from all around the world and enjoy unique shopping experiences while enjoying international food, beverages and performances at the outdoor.
RSVP with participating restaurants for seating at the Long-Table that spans down the double yellow line along 5th Avenue South – it’s Naples loveliest dining table, one that runs more than five blocks and be ready to make some wonderful memories, collect a specialty souvenir, and get into the holiday spirit Naples-style.
For more information, visit https://www.fifthavenuesouth.com/christmas/ or call (239) 692-8436.
