Tumbleweed Christmas Tree, a Southwest Tradition

In the town that I live, the city every year has a Christmas tree made out of tumbleweeds.  It has been a tradition for 55 years.  It started because a storage room where all of the Christmas tree decorations were stored burned in a fire, and the townspeople scrambled to find a festive alternative.

Each year 1000 tumbleweeds are collected from the city and are assembled into a tree.  Then it is painted and donned with glitter and lights.  It is a fun southwest tradition.



I have a picture of my great grandparents standing in front of the tree from the 60's.  If I were more organzied I would find the picture and include it.  But, alas it is somewhere in my closet!




Assembly of the tree, with each individual tumbleweed.



What unique tradition does your town practice at the Holidays?