YOUNGSTOWN — It will look a lot like Christmas today in downtown Youngstown.

A blue spruce from an Austintown resident will be this year’s Christmas tree on the city’s Central Square as the city prepares for the holiday season.

The tree will be cut down and transported today from 4434 Norquest Blvd., the home of Anastasia Dulick, said Dan Bonacker, assistant to the city’s parks and recreation director.

The parks and recreation department will be assisted by Diamond Steel Construction Co. of Youngstown in cutting the tree and putting it on a flat-bed truck, Bonacker said. J.C.’s Landscaping, the Tree Dudes, of Campbell will help transport the tree, which is about 40 feet tall, Bonacker said.

Edison Lighting of Poland will decorate the tree with lights and bows.

The cutting of the tree last year made national news when the top of the initial tree broke as it was being moved. A replacement tree was found.

“That was completely unforeseen last year,” Bonacker said. “We have to take every precaution to make sure nothing happens like it did last year.”

The city’s holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony will be Dec. 6.

The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from East Federal Street, near Commerce Street, and finishes on West Federal Street at Vindicator Square.

The tree lighting will take place immediately following the parade, about 7:30 p.m., on Central Square. Pictures with Santa will be after the tree is lit.

Also that day, there will be a Youngstown Holiday Flea event from 4 to 8 p.m. at the DeYor Performing Arts Center, free admission to OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology from 4 to 7 p.m., the Memories of Christmas Past at the Arms Family Museum from noon to 4 p.m., the Nutcracker performed by Ballet Western Reserve at Stambaugh Auditorium at 8 p.m., and at the Youngstown Phantoms hockey game at the Covelli Centre, starting at 7:05 p.m., children 12 years of age and under can get a ticket for $5 which also includes an 8-ounce soft drink, cotton candy and popcorn.