City unveils Tree of Lights

Christmas lights, including an 80-foot tall Tree of Lights, are seen at the Heavin Memorial Park in San Benito. (Photos by Michael Rodriguez and T.J. Tijerina)

Special to the NEWS

City officials Thursday unveiled a new 80-foot tall Tree of Lights as a Christmas gift to the San Benito community.

Located in Heavin Memorial Park, along the south bank of the Resaca de Los Fresnos near the popular walking/jogging trail, the tree contains approximately 2,000 lights, and is believed to be the tallest such tree in the Rio Grande Valley.

“As we celebrate the spirit of Christmas, we want our citizens to know how much we appreciate them, and on behalf of the entire City Commission, we would like to dedicate this tree and say Merry Christmas with this beautiful symbol of our holiday cheer,” Mayor Joe H. Hernandez said.

The tree will become an annual fixture along Heavin Resaca Trail, he added.

“The best view of the new tree will be for individuals traveling on the south-bound lanes of US Business 77, where the tall lighted tree will cast a reflection on the resaca’s water surface,” according to project engineer Victor Gutierrez of Coym, Rehmet & Gutierrez Engineering, LP of Corpus Christi.

City Manager Manuel Lara initiated the effort, saying the tree is designed for family enjoyment in the spirit of the Christmas season. “We hope that families from throughout South Texas will come with their children and enjoy an evening of outdoor fun along the banks of our beautiful resaca,” he said.

Assistant City Manager Hector Jalomo noted that the tree was erected in short order after the pole was installed late last week. “Our men really got into the spirit of it, working on everything from trenching to stringing the lights from the top of the pole down. They really like it,” he said.