Maybe Limestone County should think about going to an artificial tree next year after Monday’s impromptu “rodeo” with a freshly cut, 20-foot-tall Leland Cypress tree on the courthouse lawn.

The tree, donated by Strain’s nursery, will be lighted Saturday at 5:30 p.m., capping off the 20th annual Christmas Open House on the square.

County Commission Chairman David Seibert might be known as a “backhoe cowboy” after he rode the machinery’s lift arm to the top of the tree to retrieve a rope because the county’s liability coverage would not cover an employee to mount the killer beast.

Monday’s fun began when the tree trunk would not fit into a large PVC pipe set in concrete on the lawn. The pipe had been installed as a permanent tree stand. Workers contemplated trimming the trunk to fit the pipe, only to find that the Leland Cypress had a double trunk and trimming it too high would split the tree.

So workers just dug up the PVC pipe and widened the opening. But they still had to find a way to stand up the tree. They attached ropes to it and hauled it upright with a backhoe.

But then they had to get the rope off the top, and that’s when Seibert volunteered for the long ride up astraddle the lift arm.

Observers were not too surprised at the county’s chief executive taking on the job. Seibert is known as a hands-on type of guy. He has installed carpeting in several county buildings simply because he can. One of his previous jobs was as a carpet installer.

The tree and square are being trimmed this week in new lighting in preparation for Saturday’s open house. All day Saturday, shoppers can take advantage of special sales on holiday gift items and register for a different door prize to be awarded by each merchant sponsor. A visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus will begin at 1 p.m. as Santa arrives by fire truck on the Limestone County Courthouse Square. Santa will be accepting visitors for interviews and photos until 4:30 p.m. Activities will be followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This is a lineup of the night’s activities:

• 4:30 p.m. Athens High School Band Brass Section will perform as people gather on the square for the lighting.

• 5 p.m. Presentations and welcoming of guests will begin.

• 5:15 p.m. Cedar Hill and Piney Chapel students will perform.

• 5:35 p.m. Athens State University Community Band Ensemble will perform.

• 5:35 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting.

• 6 p.m.Community Christmas Caroling around the tree.