FROM LEFT, SARAH, Jordan, Michael, Vaughn and Sarah Wolfenberg stand in front of the blue spruce they donated that was chosen to become the official 2019 state Christmas tree in Lansing. This is the first tree from Iron Mountain to be picked for the Capitol. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — As it turns out, the Christmas tree that will grace Michigan’s state Capitol this December is a bit of a Cinderella discovered in Iron Mountain.

A search crew from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget had come to the area in August intending to look at several nominated trees in Dickinson County.

Instead, one of them spotted a fine specimen along U.S. 2 near Iron Mountain Power Sports. Sizing it up, taking all the measurements, the 61-foot blue spruce fit all the criteria for consideration.

“I like it,” DTMB harvest crew member Heath Miller said at the time. “It’s a really nice tree still.”

So after evaluating all the candidates throughout the state, the spruce donated by Jordan and Sarah Wolfenberg and their family got the nod. It will be harvested Oct. 24, bundled, transported and delivered to the Capitol on Oct. 26 with the help from the Michigan Association of Timbermen and the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association.

While this is the fourth tree to come from Dickinson County and the 23rd tree from the Upper Peninsula, it is the first chosen from Iron Mountain. Two past trees were harvested in Kingsford and one came from Sagola Township.

“I’m very proud to say it’s coming from Dickinson County again,” said Denny Olson, a member of the DTMB harvest crew, Michigan Association of Timbermen and the GLPTA. “The community can be very proud.”

Olson has been involved with 18 of the trees chosen for the state Capitol.

The Wolfenbergs were shocked when their tree was chosen. “I thought it was a joke or a scam. I wondered ‘What’s the catch?'” Sarah Wolfenberg said. “The fun part is when we bought the property, we had to do some clearing of trees, but we knew that tree was special, so it was saved. It was way too pretty to be cut down.”

The tree will be cut and transported to Lansing at no cost to the owners or state. Anyone who would like to help harvest the tree can call 906-250-0181, Olson said, adding, “We will find a way to make them useful.”

Details about the local ceremony will be released soon, but Olson said they plan to invite local dignitaries, all the area schools and high school bands.

“All are welcome. We are hoping to have a good community showing,” he said.

When it reaches the Capitol, local Boy Scout troops will continue the tradition of untying the tree. The HI-Ball Company of Lansing will provide a crane and crew to hoist the blue spruce into place at the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place Friday, Nov. 22, at the 35th annual Silver Bells in the City celebration. Dignitaries will flip the switch that turns on thousands of twinkling lights at about 7:45 p.m. Eastern time.

The festivities will wrap up with a concert with 1980s pop star Tiffany at the Lansing Center.

The Wolfenberg family plans to attend. “Our family is greatly honored to have our tree selected to represent the holiday season this year in Lansing,” Sarah Wolfenberg said. “Regardless of beliefs, it inspires the masses and brings a bipartisan joy to so many.”

For more information on Silver Bells in the City, go to SilverBellintheCity.org or contact Mindy Biladeau, director of special events and programming for Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority, at 517-908-4037.

“We’re honored to have a tree all Michiganders can enjoy,” Olson said.