After a short absence, the tradition of lighting up a holiday tree on Capitol Square will make its triumphant return to the Ohio Statehouse this holiday season. In fact, the 2011 Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival will include the lighting of not one, but two holiday trees on the Statehouse grounds. The 96th annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival marks the beginning of the holiday season on Capitol Square and throughout the state of Ohio. This year’s celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The entire community is invited to attend this important public event.
The Ohio Statehouse holiday kickoff celebration is a special tradition that dates back to 1915. For nearly a hundred years, this annual event has brought Ohioans together for a merry evening filled with entertainment and good cheer. The Ohio Statehouse is located on the corner of Broad and High Streets in downtown Columbus in the heart of the capital city.
Ohio Governor John Kasich and his family are scheduled to participate in this year’s celebration by conducting the holiday tree lighting ceremony. Once Capitol Square is lit with holiday cheer, guests will welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive at the Ohio Statehouse in retro style behind the wheel of a classic “horseless carriage” at 5:30 p.m. on the West Plaza. After the Claus’ anticipated arrival, the celebration will flow inside the Statehouse for an evening of fun for all.
For children and adults of all ages, this family-friendly festival will also include holiday music sung by a variety of choirs, a Santa and Mrs. Claus photo station, activities, displays, special performances, community mascots and refreshments. The Ohio Statehouse invites families from across central Ohio to join together at the “People’s House” to rekindle holiday cheer and state pride.
In keeping with the spirit of the season, visitors are invited to bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Make a difference and help to spread the holiday spirit across the Buckeye State!
The 2011 Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival is a perfect opportunity for children and adults alike to become acquainted with the Ohio Statehouse and its importance to Columbus and the entire state, while at the same time enjoying its friendly confines in an annual event that unites Ohioans with the seasonal holidays under the hallowed rooftop of the Statehouse.
November 30 promises to be a fun and exciting evening for all as the Ohio Statehouse helps to ring in the holiday season. Get your holiday celebration jump-started at the “The People’s House!”
Detailed information about the Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival is available at www..ohiostatehouse.org or by calling 614/752-9777. For volunteer opportunities, contact Michael Ginnetti by calling 614/728-0192 or sending an email to [email protected].
The Ohio Statehouse wishes everyone a happy and inspiring holiday season!
GCAC Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.
Interested to find out more about the history of Ohio’s Statehouse? Click here to read November’s History Lesson by Doug Motz.
