Friday, November 24, 2017
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin and Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister will be joined next week by schoolchildren from across the state for the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree.
The lighting ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, on the south plaza of the Capitol. The governor will give brief remarks before the 30-foot artificial Christmas tree is lit. The tree, a replica of a Douglas fir, has more than 2,500 energy-saving LED lights.
Darci Lynne Farmer, the winner of NBC-TV's "America's Got Talent" competition in September, will perform during the tree-lighting ceremony. The 13-year-old singing ventriloquist is from Oklahoma City.
This year’s emcee is Bobbie Miller. The event is sponsored by Panera Bread, Ozarka Water Co., Manhattan Construction and Weyerhaeuser Co. Foundation.
Before the lighting ceremony, approximately 700 students are expected to decorate 26 small Christmas trees placed inside the Capitol. The students, ranging in grade level from first to fifth grade, will come from across the state.
“The annual lighting of the Capitol’s Christmas tree is a very special time of the year to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends,” said Fallin. “I appreciate the students who come from across the state to decorate the numerous Christmas trees on display inside the Capitol. I encourage 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.”
Beginning at 2:30 p.m., Fallin and Hofmeister will walk through the Capitol to look at the trees and talk with the children.
“I’m excited for the 26 classes chosen to decorate a tree this year,” Hofmeister said. “Experiencing the governor’s Christmas tree lighting is a memorable time for these students and teachers. I look forward to seeing their creativity on display at the Capitol and ushering in the holiday season together.”
Other activities include storytelling, music, dance, refreshments, writing letters to the troops, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Science Museum Oklahoma and the Oklahoma History Center also will be taking part in the festivities.
Assisting in the lighting of the tree will be Mike and Dawn Jones, an Oklahoma City area couple who this year adopted Zayden, from the state Department of Human Services.
Performing artist groups include:
The 26 Christmas trees will be displayed by the following schools: