The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society will conduct their 30th annual Arbor Day celebration at Janson Park, Sixth and Cherry streets, Columbia, on Friday, April 29, at 6 p.m.

Fred Smith, president of the Janson Foundation, which has overseen and maintained Janson Park since 1910, will serve as master of ceremonies. The Rev. Stephen Kelley, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, will offer the invocation, and deacon Henry Reese of the same church will provide the benediction. Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission chairperson Amy Evans will give welcoming remarks. Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz will announce the Arbor Day Proclamation, and Columbia Borough Council president Heather Zink will make comments. Rick Hartlieb of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry will present Columbia Borough with its 30th consecutive Tree City USA Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

As in past Arbor Day celebrations, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in the Shade Tree coloring contest, which was open to second-grade students attending Park Elementary School and Our Lady of the Angels School.

Musical selections will be presented throughout the ceremony by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church choir under the direction of Bernard Wickenheiser.

Vet 21 Honor Guard will open the event, and Frontier Girls Troops 191 and 202 will assist in the distribution of programs.

During the event, Brian Rhoads of the Northern Lancaster County Forest Fire Company will portray Smokey Bear and Ethan Sargen will portray Johnny Appleseed.

This year's ceremony will be dedicated to Ed Wickenheiser, a lifelong Columbia resident who passed away in May 2019. Wickenheiser served as the honorary memorial chairman for the Columbia Tree Society membership drive for 2022.

A lifetime membership will be given to former Shade Tree member Bill Kloidt, sponsored by Albert and Claire Storm.

Morgan Bigler, a member of the Columbia High School Class of 2022, will recite Joyce Kilmer's poem "Trees" during the ceremony. Bigler is the daughter of Emily and John Gamby, and Jesse Bigler and Amy Geesey. At Columbia High School, she is captain of the girls' varsity basketball team and the varsity volleyball team. She is a two-time Lancaster-Lebanon League basketball Defensive All-Star. She is also a member of the varsity softball team, was named to the homecoming court and is an Attollo Scholar. Outside of school, she is a member of the Lady Raiders Basketball Academy. Upon graduation, Morgan will attend Arcadia University to study health science/pre-physical therapy and continue her basketball career.

In addition to Evans, members of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission are Amanda Hawn, treasurer; Julie Lehmer, secretary; Jack Gamby; and Caroline McGrath. The Shade Tree Commission, in partnership with the Columbia Park Rangers, organize several work details throughout the year to trim, plant, and maintain street trees in the borough. Anyone interested in participating in these events may contact Evans by leaving a message at the Columbia Borough Municipal Office.