Lights Create Huge Christmas Tree On Mountainside
SALIDA, Colo. (CBS4)- Known as the "Heart of the Rockies," Salida will soon illuminate the side of a mountain- creating the nation's biggest Christmas tree.
Christmas Mountain USA is an annual tradition; volunteers install more than 10,000 lights on the side of Tenderfoot Mountain. The mountain overlooks Salida and will illuminate those lights once the switch is flipped on Friday evening.
Lori Roberts, the director of the Salida Chamber of Commerce, says the annual tradition of lighting up the tree and parade of lights down main street draws thousands of people to the town.
"Whole town fills up down main street called F Street. We all gather to celebrate this together," Roberts said.
CBS4 cameras climbed up the mountain to find dozens of volunteers installing the lights and making final adjustments before the big reveal. The mountain will stay lit nightly through the beginning of 2017.
The event is 4 p.m. through 10 p.m. Friday in Salida.
CBS4's Matt Kroschel served as Parade Grand Marshall in last year's celebration.
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.
