MILWAUKEE -- It may not feel like winter yet, but the city of Milwaukee is getting ready for Christmas.
This year’s tree has a special meaning. David Caruso, the city's Christmas tree designer, tells TODAY'S TMJ4 the tree downtown will be making a signature statement this year.
“It truly is going to be the people's Christmas tree…It really is going to be a tree unlike the city has ever seen before in 103 years," he said.
The design of this 38 ½ foot tall tree will be a celebration of our city decorated in ornaments that represent each and every neighborhood.
"We have a lot to be really excited about," Caruso said.
James Steeno is one of the local artists who decorated an ornament that will be on this year’s tree.
"I thought it was a really cool opportunity to represent our neighborhood and the city of Milwaukee…It kind of threw me off for a little bit because it's outside of my normal way of working,” Steeno said.
But he was more than excited to participate because he's connected to the tree; he only lives a few doors down from the family that donated it in Washington Heights.
"It's a tree that I walked by with my daughter on the way to school almost on a daily basis," Steeno said.
And because of that link, creating his neighborhoods ornament was a special experience.
"I can't wait to see it on the tree," he said.