America's Tallest Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree Arrives at Outlets at Anthem in Phoenix

PHOENIX, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in America, a 110-foot-high, fresh-cut white fir, arrived today at Outlets at Anthem, following a four-day journey from northern California.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121025/LA99699)

For the third consecutive year, the popular North Phoenix outlet shopping center will display the 12-ton tree in its busy center court area during the holiday season.

"This year's tree arrival was the most exciting yet with Santa and a parade of enormous toys leading the way," said Outlets at Anthem's Marketing Director Sallyann Martinez.

Traveling nearly 750 miles on a 75-foot stretch flatbed trailer, the 27-foot-wide tree was met by Santa upon its arrival to certify it as the tallest in the nation, officially kicking off the holiday season. The waiting crew of 14 then secured the tree to a large strap and a construction crane hoisted it off the flatbed, rotated it and lowered it into a specially designed tree well in center court.

To compare, the tree is taller than:

• Seven double-decker buses stacked one on top of the other (105 feet)
• The wingspan of a Boeing 727 (108 feet)
• The tallest tree ever showcased in New York City's Rockefeller Center (90 feet)
• The iconic Jolly Green Giant statue in Minnesota (55 feet)

Throughout the next few weeks, the tree will be shaped with 1,000 live branches ranging from 3-13 feet, strung with 180 strands of lights stretching a total length of three miles and decorated with more than 6,000 ornaments that measure 4-11-inches in circumference. It will be topped with a three-foot copper hand-crafted star. Decorating will be completed around Nov. 9.

The 11th annual Christmas tree lighting spectacular, featuring this year's American Idol Winner Phillip Phillips, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17. For more information visit www.outletsanthem.com.

Craig Realty Group is a shopping center development and management firm founded by Steven L. Craig and is based in Newport Beach, California.  A leader in the development and management of high income-producing, upscale factory outlet centers, Craig Realty Group owns, operates and manages nearly 4.3 million square feet of existing retail development in 6 states, including Outlets at Anthem in Phoenix. For more information, visit www.craigrealtygroup.com.

SOURCE Outlets at Anthem