Chicago’s Christmas Tree celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Tree will be unveiled at lighting ceremony on Tuesday, November 26

Chicago, Il, 2013-11-4 — /travelprnews.com/ — The City of Chicago is thrilled to announce that the Moore Family Tree from South Holland, Illinois was selected to serve as this year’s Christmas tree on Daley Plaza. The57-foot Colorado blue spruce will be lit at the 100th Anniversary of Chicago’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, November 26. The program will begin at 5 p.m. with live performances headlined by Darlene Love followed by the lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.

Terri Moore and her daughters, Kirsten (11) and Taylor (8), will join Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Santa Claus, sponsor UL and special guests to light the tree. The Moore Family was encouraged by family and friends to submit their tree this year. “This is truly a blessing,” said Terri Moore.

The tree will be cut down on Thursday, November 7 and on Friday, November 8, it will be delivered to Daley Plaza at 7 p.m. (time subject to change). Chicago’s Christmas Tree will be on display at Daley Plaza through January 9, 2014.

In 1913, the first Christmas tree was a gift to the residents of Chicago from an associate of Captain Herman Scheunemann and was lit in his honor. He was the captain of theRouse Simmons, known as the “Christmas Tree Ship.” The ship was lost in a storm on Lake Michigan on November 23, 1912.

The first municipal Christmas tree was lit on December 24, 1913 by Mayor Carter H. Harrison in Grant Park.  The tree was a 35-foot Douglas Spruce placed on 40-foot poles and studded with smaller trees to give the appearance of a much larger tree. It was decorated with 600 multi-colored lights and topped with the Star of Bethlehem.

Since 2009, Chicago’s Christmas tree has been a single tree donated by a Chicago-area family. During the summer and early fall, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events received more than 90 submissions from Chicagoland residents who hoped that their tree would be selected to shine on Daley Plaza during the holidays. The tree was selected with the assistance of The Brickman Group (landscaping/tree professionals).

The 100th Anniversary of Chicago’s Christmas Tree is presented by the City of Chicago and UL. Admission is FREE. For information on all programs presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, visit our website at cityofchicago.org/dcase and join us on Facebook and Twitter @ChicagoDCASE.

# # #

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

Mary May    312.744.0576 mmay@cityofchicago.org

Subscribe to Notifications