Biden gets a chance to bring holiday spirit to Washington by lighting the National Christmas Tree

2024-12-23 23:22:33 source: category:Invest

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s President Joe Biden ‘s turn to bring some holiday spirit to the U.S. capital.

The president and his wife, Jill, are participating Thursday in the annual tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, an area known as President’s Park, on the south side of the White House.

This year’s tree is a 40-foot (12-meter) Norway spruce from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest.

There was a moment’s doubt earlier this week about whether the 101-year-old tradition would go ahead as planned after the tree was felled by strong gusty winds Tuesday. But the tree was upright again within hours after a cable securing it was replaced, according to the National Park Service.

Other news Toppled White House Christmas tree is secured upright, and lighting show will happen as scheduled Is it normal or a problem if your evergreens are browning? How to know whether they need help Climate change is hastening the demise of Pacific Northwest forests

The tree lighting ceremony is an annual White House holiday tradition with a countdown and musical performances. The Norway spruce was planted about two weeks ago, replacing an older tree that the park service said had developed a fungal disease that caused its needles to turn brown and fall off.

None of the 58 smaller trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree was damaged. About 20 ornaments fell from the tree but did not break. The NPS announced Wednesday that crews are “installing concrete blocks and additional cables to further secure the tree.”

Country singer Mickey Guyton is the ceremony’s host, with musical performances by Dionne Warwick and St. Vincent, among others.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are also attendees of Thursday’s ceremony.

On Monday, the first lady helped open Washington’s holiday season by unveiling the White House holiday decorations. On Wednesday, she opened a holiday ice rink on the South Lawn for children to skate and play hockey throughout December.

___

Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil contributed to this report.

More:Invest

Recommend

New Yorkers vent their feelings over the election and the Knicks via subway tunnel sticky notes

NEW YORK (AP) — New Yorkers seeking to unburden themselves after last week’s election got a chance t

Trump to host rally on Biden’s home turf in northeast Pennsylvania, the last before his trial begins

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump plans to hold a rally Saturday in northeast Pennsylvania, venturing i

What we know about the Arizona Coyotes' potential relocation to Salt Lake City

It has been a whirlwind week for the Arizona Coyotes with rampant reports of the team moving to Salt