Around 1927, Clarence F. “Sandy” Pratt of San Francisco decorated a tall evergreen tree in his garden on the edge of the Sutro Forest. After the holiday season had ended, the mother of a “poor child” who lived close by, thanked Mr. Pratt for his thoughtfulness, and told him of how the tree had been so very much enjoyed by her son, as the family could not afford one of their own. This sparked an idea from which was born the “Outdoor Tree Association,” of which Sandy Pratt was the founder. The concept being that many other children and adults too might get more enjoyment from the holiday season if outdoor trees were decorated and also to discourage the cutting down of large, mature trees for temporary holiday displays.
The Association worked with Chambers of Commerce up and down the State, and in 1932 their goal was to illuminate 100,000 living trees. Working with forestry associations they condemned the indiscriminate cutting down of trees and promoted forest conservation. Actress Mary Pickford was a strong supporter and led the Southern California division.
In 1936, the Boulder Creek volunteer fire department sponsored an outdoor Christmas lighting contest "to create a more festive Yuletide spirit and to stimulate interest in Christmas lighting." The contest was deemed highly successful.
The following year, in 1937, the San Lorenzo Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Christmas Lighting Contest. This was such a resounding success that in 1938 the “Big Tree Christmas Outdoor Lighting Association” was formed, the idea being purportedly put forward by Reed Hayes, editor of the San Lorenzo Valley Journal newspaper. Mrs. Alice Earl Wilder was elected president with the goal, and slogan, of 25 miles of outdoor Christmas trees for the San Lorenzo Valley. In that year there were 96 entries with 35 displays honored at a celebration at the Del Mar Theater. Ribbons were awarded to seven first place, five second place, and three third place entries.
Article from Dec 21, 1939 Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, California)
In 1940, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, “One of the most spectacular displays [in the State] will be on the highway from Santa Cruz to Boulder Creek, where the eight lighted miles of last year will be extended.”
That year, a special sweepstakes prize was awarded to Norma Paradis of Ben Lomond. Mrs. Paradis created a four foot by six-foot, illuminated tableau, with the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps on the left, citizens of every walk of life in the center, and the nativity scene on the right. At the extreme right were the symbols of peace. That winter was noted as one of the stormiest in Valley’s history, but Mrs. Hayes display stood resolutely.
December 7, 1941, brought a temporary halt to the project as nationwide blackout orders were issued. Despite this, on Christmas Eve 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt illuminated the national Christmas tree on the south lawn of the White House. For just one evening, the tree shone brightly for those “who serve in our armed forces on land and sea, near and far - those who serve for us and endure for us.”
In Santa Cruz, the Junior Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lighting Contest was also cancelled at the request of city defence leaders and the army. After revising the criteria, to make it an indoor only contest so that should a blackout be called for the lights could be immediately turned out, the contest proceeded.
Junior Chamber of Commerce Chairman Frank Harold stated:
We should not let present conditions dampen our spirits on this the most important holiday of the year. 'Christmas as Usual,' along with business as usual, should be our slogan.
In the Valley, the chamber of commerce brought back the contest after the war in 1946 with prizes for the best lighted tree, best home decoration, best lighted garden, best community display and several special prizes.
Article from Dec 20, 1946 Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, California)
