City tree lighting a family affair

Join Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Director Alan McKnight, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and members of Columbus City Council for the official tree lighting ceremony at Columbus City Hall, Tuesday Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. Admission is free with paid parking available at area garages.

The centerpiece of the event is a 50-foot Norway Spruce, a gift from a Columbus resident. The 2007 holiday tree and the 37,000 holiday lights decorating the City Hall grounds will feature environmentally friendly LED technology. The LED technology creates brighter light with less heat and electricity, while dramatically reducing energy costs by up to 90 percent. The tree and other City Hall holiday decorations will remain in place until Jan. 2.

This year’s tree lighting event will feature holiday carols by the Columbus Children’s Choir and a visit by the Nutcracker and Clara. Santa Claus will be making special appearances as he arrives in a trolley and is escorted by the all-tuba ensemble TubaChristmas.

This year’s tree lighting will celebrate the spirit of giving with Empty Bowls, a fundraising effort to support the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. For the Past ten years, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has coordinated the Empty Bowls project. Volunteers from across Columbus will have handmade, one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls that will available for purchase. For only $10, you can get a hot bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, take home a piece of art, and contribute to the fight against hunger in Columbus. Soup is included with each bowl purchase, or is available separately for $2.

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