HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf joined hundreds of people in the state Capitol Rotunda on Friday to celebrate the holidays with the 2017 Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“The Capitol Christmas Tree is a beautiful reminder of all that the holiday season gives to us across our commonwealth,” said Wolf.
“Let us all take the time this year to reflect on our own blessings and enjoy everything the holidays have to offer.”
The tree is a 22-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County.
It is decorated with more than 900 LED lights and more than 1,600 hand-made ornaments from senior centers throughout the commonwealth coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and Pre-K/Head Start students through Pre-K for PA.
The Governor and First Lady were joined by Pennsylvania Department of General Services Secretary Curt Topper and the Rev. Carl Tancredi D.Min, Catholic Chaplain York College of Pennsylvania.
The Susquenita Middle and High School Choirs provided musical performances and Santa Claus made an appearance.
In addition to the Rotunda Tree, there is a 22-foot Douglas Fir on the Capitol Steps and an 18-foot Douglas Fir in Soldiers’ Grove.
The Rotunda tree will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Capitol Steps and Soldiers’ Grove trees will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight. All trees will be lit daily through the week of Jan. 8, 2018.