FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2017
Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839
 
Governor Walker Lights Capitol’s 100th Anniversary
Christmas Tree
 
MADISON – Governor Scott Walker lit the Capitol’s 100th Anniversary Christmas tree today in a ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The tree is decorated with ornaments handmade by students across the state with this year’s theme, The Capitol’s 100th Birthday.“A big thank you to the schools and students who helped make ornaments for this year’s Capitol Christmas tree,” Governor Walker said. “For 100 years the Wisconsin Capitol’s Christmas tree has been a destination for families across Wisconsin to celebrate Christmas and our beautiful Capitol building.  We would also like to thank Jim and Debbie for their donation of the tree and to all of those who helped make this 100th Capitol Christmas tree extra special.”

The Capitol Christmas tree is selected every year from donation requests on a first come, first serve basis. The tree must be a balsam fir approximately 35-55 feet tall. The 2017 Capitol Christmas tree is a 40-foot balsam fir from the Town of Emery and was donated by Jim Ryf.

In addition to the many students who submitted ornaments, the following parties also helped to make this year’s beautiful display at the Wisconsin State Capitol a reality:

  • The tree was harvested and delivered to the capitol by the Great Lakes Timber Producers Association (GLTPA).
  • Henry Schienebeck, GLTPA Executive Director, coordinated the harvest and delivery.
  • The State Capitol Facilities Team lit the tree with 2,000 LED multi-colored lights, hung the decorations, and crafted the tree’s new star.
  • Patti Hellenbrand of Village Creek Quilts in Lodi designed the tree skirt.
  • Cindy Hasse of Cottage Grove quilted the tree skirt.
  • BouMatic of Madison fabricated and donated the stainless steel tree stand.
  • Ken Lucht of the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company supplied the locomotive circling the base of the tree.
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