Its the most wonderful time of the year. With less than eight weeks left till Christmas,I guess its safe to say that right? Many people are going to be traveling during this Holiday season. So if you are visiting family members or friends during the Holidays in the Nations Capital and don't know what to do,I definitely know one thing you can do. How about attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting.
For 87 years it has been a tradition in the Nations Capital. In 1978,a live 40 foot Colorado Blue spruce was transplanted from York Pennsylvania to its present site on the Ellipse,the greasy area south of the White House. In 1954,a pathway of peace,56 smaller decorated trees representing all 50 states,five territories and the District of Columbia were planted surrounding the National Christmas Tree.
And did you know that each year sponsoring organizations from each state provide tree decorations that are encased in a protective plastic globe to shield it from the weather? Didn't know either. You learn something new everyday. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is the beginning of a three week Washington DC Christmas Tradition.
Date and time: Thursday December 9,2010 at 5pm.
Tickets: Tickets to the National Christmas Lighting ceremony will be distributed via an online lottery which will be available beginning at 12:01am Eastern Standard Time (EST) on November 5th. To participate,visit www.thenationaltree.org or call 877-444-6777. The lottery will include 3,000 ticketed seats and 10,000 standing room tickets. Successful ticket seekers will be notified by e-mail or US mail (if applied by phone). Tickets will be mailed to the lottery winners by Nov.15th. Tickets are free and required for every attendee including children.
Location: The Ellipse near the White House. The closest Metro Stations to the White House are Federal Triangle,Metro Center and McPherson Square. Parking is very limited in this area so public transportation is recommended. Also it will help if you brought a map with you.
So I leave you with Andy Williams singing the classic holiday song "Its the most wonderful time of the year" song. Enjoy folks.
Lanre,
Only 8 weeks.... this has been my first wake-up to that fact! I must start searching now.... Heares to wishing A wonderful Holiday Season for you and yours!
I've been going to look at the National Christmas Tree since I was a weeeeee little thing. Love the Yule Log!
Lanre,
it is that time of the year already? time is really moving. I never been I will have to put my name in for the lottery.
thanks
Lanre, I'm SO ready for Christmas and you just pushed me a bit further :) I love the holidays! As soon as Halloween is over, my tree is going UP!
Have you ever been able to attend the annual tree lighting? That would be a glorious site to see. I love that Andy Williams song! I'm really in the mood now, lol.
Lanre, You have beaten all the national brand stores to the promotional punch here. The first mention of Christmas. Living back in New England it is truly wonderful to watch the leaves drop with the temperatures, can snow be far behind. Happy Holloween.