Stillwater Celebrates Holiday Spirit with Twinkle Party and Tree Lighting

A stunning 60-foot blue spruce tree has taken center stage in downtown Stillwater, arriving just in time for the much-anticipated annual Hometown for the Holidays Twinkle Party and tree lighting ceremony scheduled for December 2, 2025. This remarkable tree, weighing in at 6,800 pounds, was graciously donated to the city by Aamodt’s Apple Farm, located in Grant.

The tree, initially standing at 68 feet, has a rich history tied to its owner, Chris Aamodt. It was planted by his grandfather, Thor Aamodt, in the 1960s. Thor Aamodt, who founded Aamodt’s Apple Farm in 1948 after retiring from his role as a professor of horticulture and entomology at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul, viewed the orchard as his retirement project. Chris Aamodt reminisced, “I literally remember being there when he planted it. My dad told him that it was too close to the barns and that we would need to cut it down in 40 or 50 years. I think Grandpa planned this.”

The journey of the tree to its new home began when Chris Aamodt contacted Mayor Ted Kozlowski a few years ago. The mayor had put out a call for a tree for the holiday display at Lowell Park. Aamodt humorously recalled saying, “Dude, I think I have your tree.” Although the tree was deemed too large for the original location, city officials ensured that the newly developed Chestnut Street Plaza could accommodate a tree that could rival the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

The logistical effort to cut down and transport the tree was coordinated by Jeff Hause and Missy Hause of JAM Freedom. Several local companies contributed to the project, including Big Sky Crane Co., McCallie’s Tree Service, and Miller Excavating.

The Twinkle Party festivities will commence at 16:30 in North Lowell Park, with Santa Claus making a grand entrance by fire truck at around 17:00. The highly anticipated lighting of the tree will follow at 17:30, marking a festive occasion for residents and visitors alike.

For additional details about the event, interested parties can visit the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce website.