Coral Gables mayor ends 30-year Christmas tree tradition over fundraising concerns

Coral Gables' 30-year Christmas tree farm tradition is at risk after Mayor Vince Lago challenged where the event's proceeds go, according to the Miami New Times.

At a city commission meeting on October 27, Lago and City Manager Carolina Vester said the Coral Gables Firefighters Benevolent Association may have misrepresented how it shares funds from the tree farm, which has been a community staple for decades.

Lago criticized the association for benefiting out-of-town charities and providing free trees instead of monetary donations to local groups, leading to the association withdrawing its application to sell trees in Coral Gables.

The mayor questioned why the city supports an event that benefits other municipalities and said the arrangement must change to ensure the community directly benefits from the fundraiser.

City commissioners were expected to review a zoning variance that has allowed the association to sell trees in the parking lot of Coral Gables Baptist Church on Granada Boulevard, but the future of the event is now uncertain.