Every year since 1982 (minus a pandemic pause) Burien’s Economy Wiring (a longtime Advertiser) has hosted a good ol’ fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting event, and this year’s will be held on Wednesday night, Dec. 6, 2023, starting at 6 p.m.
This year’s event will take place in the parking lot of Economy Wiring, located at 633 SW 148th Street (map below).
Owners Jay and Gail Smith are pleased to continue this time-honored tradition.
“Please come to the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023,” an announcement reads.
In a slice of small-town America charm, the St. Francis School Choir will entertain the crowd with classic Christmas songs in anticipation of Santa Claus himself.
The jolly man – red-suited, jolly as heck and white-bearded – will arrive clutching a bag full of candy canes to share, hitching a ride with the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department aboard their fire truck.
After greeting the crowd and a few photo ops, Santa typically leads the group in a countdown to the official lighting of the fir tree just a few feet east of the Economy Wiring building.
Indoors, cookies and hot chocolate are served after the tree lighting within the store, cozily warmed by the fire inserts on display.
The event also includes an opportunity to share your abundance with those in need. Please bring an unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item for the Christmas Community Outreach Program.
This celebration has illuminated the Burien skyline for a long time now. Economy Wiring Company Founder Gwin Smith started the tradition in 1966. Over the years, his small celebration has grown to include the St. Francis School Choir and the King County Fire District #2’s Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department.
In the first eight years of the tree lighting, Gwin climbed the huge fir tree himself to install the lights and then climbed back up in January to take them down. This changed some years ago, when the fire department took responsibility for installing and removing the lights.
Come join your neighbors in celebrating this festive start to the holidays.
The event is FREE and open to all especially the young and young-at-heart!
Economy Wiring is located at 633 SW 148th Street in Burien:
