Annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Lighting the Way for Hope and Recovery

2023-11-26 12:45:00

TOM STROMME Bismarck Tribune

The 42nd annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday in Memorial Hall at the Capitol in Bismarck.

This year’s theme is “Lighting the Way,” in connection with first lady Kathryn Burgum’s platform of inspiring people to know that recovery from the disease of addiction is possible. The theme also broadly applies to the notion that every person can be a light for others during the holiday season, according to Gov. Doug Burgum’s office.

This year’s ceremony will feature performances from the Bismarck St. Mary’s Central High School Jazz ensemble “St. Mary’s Blues,” Miss North Dakota 2023 Sydney Helgeson of Bismarck, and pianist Michael Land.

Following the tradition established during the past four ceremonies, the tree will be ceremoniously lit by three people in recovery and their families to signify hope, opportunity and renewal during the holiday season.

Kathryn Burgum’s office earlier invited artists and craftspeople to provide handmade ornaments for the tree, which is artificial. North Dakota hasn’t had a natural state Christmas tree since 2014, as fire code prohibits live trees in commercial buildings, according to the governor’s office.

“There are 385 new ornaments this year,” said Tom Job, with Capitol Facility Management, who estimated there are a total of 5,000 ornaments, all handmade by North Dakotans in recent years and marked with names and hometowns. “All of the ornaments from the past are placed up high, and that way the people who make the new ones can come in and see them.”

The lighting event is free and open to the public. Free holiday cookies, hot chocolate and apple cider will be available. Attendees may park in the visitor’s lot south of the Capitol and enter the building through the south entrance. As part of the event there will be a winter clothing drive for Heartview Recovery Center in Bismarck.

The ceremony also will be livestreamed on the Facebook pages of the governor and first lady.