Tuesday, December 3, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin will take part in this evening’s annual Christmas tree lighting on the south steps of the Oklahoma Capitol. The 30-foot-tall artificial tree, adorned with nearly 2,000 energy-saving LED lights, is to be lit at about 6:15 tonight.
The tree-lighting ceremony is part of an annual event that hosts an afternoon of festivities including elementary, middle and high school students from across the state decorating Christmas trees at various locations in the Capitol building and performing arts groups singing Christmas carols and performing dance routines.
“This is a very special time of the year to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends with the annual lighting of the Capitol’s Christmas tree and caroling,” Governor Fallin said. “I appreciate all of the students and schools from across the state that came up to help decorate the numerous Christmas trees on display.
“Each Christmas tree shows off something that’s unique and special to Oklahoma, with homemade ornaments showcasing things like our tribal and Western heritage or the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team,” the governor said. “I invite Oklahomans and visitors to the state to stop by the Capitol this month to see the displays and enjoy the great work done by our school children.”
The governor will be joined by state schools Superintendent Janet Barresi for a tour of the student Christmas tree displays. This year’s emcee is Bobbi Miller, morning news anchor for KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City. The event is sponsored by McDonalds, Manhattan Construction and Weyerhaeuser Co. Foundation.
“I’m thrilled to once again take part in this festive event,” said Barresi. “Seeing students and teachers from all across our state gather to decorate Christmas trees at the Capitol and to participate in the lighting of the governor’s Christmas tree is one of the highlights of my year.”
About 100 evergreens in State Capitol Park surrounding the Capitol also will be lit.
Performing artist groups include:
• Boulevard Brass Quintet
• Sequoyah School Choir from Tahlequah
• Edmond North Orchestra
• Choctaw Vocal Arts
• Monroe Elementary School
• Norman High School
• Canterbury Choral Society
The 32 Christmas trees will be displayed by the following schools:
• Cordell
• Reagan, Norman
• Yarbrough, Goodwell
• Katherine I. Daily, Noble
• Chisholm, Enid
• Justus – Tiawah, Claremore
• Prather Brown, Frederick
• Paoli
• Bartlesville
• Perry
• Bethel
• Oakridge, Moore
• Roff
• Kildare, Ponca City
• Bridge Creek, Blanchard
• Milburn
• Lexington
• Seeworth Academy, Oklahoma City
• Washington Grade Center, Ada
• Checotah
• Crutcho, Oklahoma City
• Lincoln, El Reno
• Hayward Smith, Owosso
• Luther
• Deep Rock, Cushing
• Sulphur
• Cedar Heights, Woodward
• Seeworth Academy, Oklahoma City
• Marble City
• Mangum
• Duncan
• Elgin