The Snoqualmie Venturing Crew Christmas Tree Lot is a long-standing tradition in Snoqualmie; having occupied its spot at the corner of Snoqualmie Parkway and Railroad Ave for over ten years.
But there is one thing that’s not a tradition at that corner – seeing the lot close a week early. But don’t worry. The closure meant good news for the Venturing Crew #115. It meant all of the Christmas trees found homes in record time; 19 days to be exact.
Snoqualmie Valley Venture Crew Founder, Kim Ferree, described the 2013 Christmas Tree Lot season as “bitter-sweet; bitter cold.”
Because of a late Thanksgiving, “the tree lot” arrived late – and due to a bigger demand this year, it also left early. This year, the tree lot opened six days later than usual and subsequently closed seven days early – selling the same amount of trees as they did in 32 days last year.
The 2013 tree lot season was one marked by bitter cold, with several sub-freezing days resulting in venture crew members having to thaw nearly 500 trees before they could even be displayed.
The thawing happened by erecting a make-shift tent and blowing in hot air; kind of a Christmas tree hot-house. Feree said in 37 years of selling trees, this was something he’d never had to do.
Most of the trees were resilient enough to withstand the freeze as they are dormant, but the Douglas and Grand Firs were hit hard and many had to be tossed out.
In the end Kim says they made 1,155 local families happy with Christmas trees. He did say his crew is saddened that many people won’t get a tree from the Venturing Crew this year, commenting, “Closing a week early kind of hurts.”
Kim said clearly they will be upping their supply next year by 50-100 trees.
