Spend some time in Columbia, and you can't help but notice the trees. The small borough has been recognized by the national Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for more than three decades. To celebrate, the Columbia Shade Tree Commission, the Columbia Park Rangers and Columbia Borough will host the 32nd annual Arbor Day event on Friday, April 26, beginning at 6 p.m. It will be held at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., Columbia.

"This event is held to recognize both the importance of trees and the many benefits they provide us and also our fellow community members who devote their time and resources to help maintain our urban forest," said Julie Lehmer, chair of the Columbia Shade Tree Commission. "All are invited and encouraged to participate."

Columbia Borough manager Mark Stivers will serve as master of ceremonies, and the Rev. Daniel Mitzel of Holy Trinity Church will offer an invocation. A variety of community groups will participate in the program. Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack 35 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Columbia High School concert choir will provide musical entertainment.

Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz will present the Arbor Day proclamation, followed by remarks from Heather Zink, Columbia Borough Council president.

The celebration also includes prizes awarded to winners of a coloring contest open to second-grade students at Our Lady of the Angels School and Park Elementary School, as well as the winners of a new photography contest.

Frontier Girls Troops 191 and 202 will assist in the distribution of program booklets. Smokey Bear, portrayed by Brian Rhoads of Northern Lancaster County Forest Fire Company, and Johnny Appleseed, portrayed by Jonah Birk, will also be present. Shawn Shufflebottom of Bartlett Tree Experts will offer tree sapling giveaways.

Columbia will receive its 32nd consecutive Tree City USA Award from a representative of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry. William Kloidt Jr., honorary chair of the Tree Society member drive, will recognize memorial tree plantings. Jeffrey Jr. and Carolyn McMillen will offer the recessional.

A highlight of the program every year is the recitation of the Joyce Kilmer poem "Trees" by a Columbia High School senior. This year, that honor goes to Alexandria Gamby. She is the daughter John and Emily Gamby and the late Ashley Wolpert. At Columbia High School, she participates on the varsity cheer team, serves as captain of the varsity volleyball and girls' wrestling teams, plays varsity basketball and is Student Council president. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, the 2024 Class Committee and the 2024 May Day Court. After graduation, she plays to attend West Chester University to major in nursing.

The Arbor Day celebration will be held rain or shine.