CUMBERLAND — The wreaths have been hung from the downtown buildings with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon will be there. And in just three short weeks, Santa Claus will make his holiday appearance in Cumberland at the downtown’s annual tree-lighting ceremony.

On Wednesday, Downtown Manager Ed Mullaney and volunteers began pulling down the autumn decorations and preparing for the annual event. But they weren’t the only ones getting the downtown ready for the holidays. Marvin Myers, Cumberland’s property ownership program coordinator, began looking for the tree to sit in Town Centre and Diane Johnson, Cumberland’s Parks and Recreation director, aided once the tree was found.

“The tree will be cut and brought downtown on Wednesday, Nov. 18,” Johnson said. “Generally staff starts first thing in the morning and then brings it downtown where it’ll be decorated.”

This year’s tree, a blue spruce between 30 and 35 feet tall, will be donated by Joe Woods of Ridgeley, W.Va., and will be lit Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. Entertainment will begin at 6 p.m.

“At one point in time it was just 6 feet tall and was my Christmas tree,” Woods said. “I remember my father and I going out and digging it up that year and then planting it in the front yard after the holidays.”

Along with the tradition of the downtown Christmas tree will be carriage rides, 15 open houses and breakfast with Santa, which will be held Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 at The Manhattan Grill and Jellyfish Lounge and Dec. 5 and 19 at the Crabby Pig Restaurant.

Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be held downtown Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Allegany County Museum. During the photos, Toys for Happiness will have a car on the downtown mall where people can donate gifts.

“For the last couple of years we had a car show ... but it didn’t work out this year,” said Allen Haines, representative for Fire & Ice Rods & Customs. “So this year, weather permitting, we’ll have a car on the mall each Friday night. If the car isn’t there we’ll have a suitable container for donations.”

Haines said gifts will be given to children up to 15 years old. Representatives for Toys for Happiness will also be at the Country Club Mall in LaVale at the tree by JC Penney’s on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to close.

New this year will be pet photos with Santa on Dec. 1 and 15, said Mullaney.

But that’s not the only exciting addition. This year, when children mail their letters to Santa in the downtown mailbox, they will receive a response if a return address is given.

Mullaney said the cries from children, as well as the gaily decorated windows and festive decorations throughout downtown really embody the idea of an old-fashioned, traditional Christmas.

“Downtown at this time of year really puts people in the holiday spirit and it also marks the kickoff of the holiday season for residents here and for Baltimore and Pittsburgh area people,” Mullaney said. “And I feel it best exemplifies what the season is all about, peace on Earth, good will toward men.”

Brochures listing the open houses and events will be available at downtown businesses and banks beginning Nov. 20.

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.