PROVIDENCE — It’s a story worthy of a holiday made-for-TV movie: How the Providence tree lighting ceremony was almost blown away, and was then saved at the last minute.

The annual event had long been set for tomorrow at 6 p.m., and the city found a massive tree, donated by the Petrucci family of North Providence.

“It was gigantic; we actually had to cut 15 feet off of it to get it to fit,” said Parks Supt. Alix Ogden.

But last Saturday, harsh winds whipped around Kennedy Plaza, and the tree couldn’t withstand the pull. It toppled down the City Hall steps, cracking and breaking all the way down.

“We tried to salvage it but it was too damaged to save,” said Mayor David N. Cicilline’s spokeswoman, Karen Southern.

That tree went on to a new life as mulch, and city officials scrambled to find a replacement in time for the ceremony. Providence resident Richard Santo Pietro stepped forward and offered his tree, a 32-foot tall Blue Spruce, and city workers strapped it — tightly — into place on Tuesday.

The tree ceremony is the capstone to a day of events including horse-drawn carriage rides, tours of historic homes, carolers and free ice skating.

“This year’s holiday tree lighting celebration promises to be more exciting than ever with fun-filled activities throughout the day and into the evening,” Cicilline said. “It’s a wonderful way for families to enjoy holiday music, celebrate the city’s historic architecture and take part in the lively festivities in our downtown neighborhood.”

Events begin at 10 a.m. with the Providence Preservation Society’s Tour of Historic Homes along Benefit Street, which runs until 3 p.m. Tickets are $20. At 4:30 p.m., the inaugural stroll through downtown will depart from the Benefit Street Arsenal at the junction of Meeting and Benefit streets.

At 6 p.m., Mayor Cicilline will host the tree-lighting ceremony on the front steps of City Hall, with performances by the Lincoln School Bells, the 18 Wheelers of the Wheeler School, and the Ebenezer Combined Choir.

After the ceremony, ice skating at the Bank of America City Center rink will be free for the evening. The stores on Westminster Street downtown will also offer horse-drawn carriage rides, entertainment and late-night shopping.

dbarbari@projo.com