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Time to flip the switch

Tree lightings, holiday displays planned around the country

Associated Press

November 25, 2007

The lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York is probably the most famous celebration of its kind, and this year it will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday. If you're not among the thousands crowding in to watch the event live in midtown Manhattan, you can watch on TV or stop by through Jan. 3.

But if you won't be in the Big Apple this holiday season, there may be a tree lighting or holiday display near you. Here are some from around the country:

• In Washington, the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at the White House Ellipse. Entertainers and a military band will perform, and President Bush will speak. Tickets are required; call 202-208-1631 for details. At 5 p.m. Dec. 5, the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

• At the California state capitol in Sacramento, the tree-lighting will be held Dec. 4. Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who officiates at the ceremony with his wife, Maria Shriver, called it a Christmas tree, ending the use of the term "holiday tree" there.

• On Christmas Eve in Louisiana, more than 100 bonfires are built along the banks of the Mississippi in the locales of Lutcher, Gramercy and Reserve. They're an old Cajun tradition to guide the way for "Papa Noel." Gray Line offers a six-hour trip to see the bonfires that includes a tour of the Destrehan Plantation and dinner. The cost is $73 for adults, $48 for children. Call 800-535-7786 or go to graylineneworleans.com for reservations.

• In Boston, Nova Scotia sends a Christmas tree every year as thanks for relief sent from Massachusetts after the Halifax Explosion in 1917. This year's tree, a 45-foot-tall white spruce, will be lit at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Boston Common.

• In West Virginia, Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling has a huge Christmas light show that draws thousands. The display started this month and lasts through Jan. 6.

• Many tree lightings don't involve evergreens. Instead, thousands of lights are strung together to resemble trees. In Charleston, S.C., the "tree" of lights will be lit from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in Marion Square. The ceremony will be followed by a parade of lit-up boats on the waterfront.

• In Texas on Dec. 2, Austin will host the lighting of the Zilker Tree, which consists of 3,309 bulbs on 39 streamers strung from Austin's Moonlight Tower. The tree is part of Zilker Metropolitan Park's Trail of Lights Festival, a mile-long walk-through display of lighted scenes, including Santa's House.

• Spending the holidays in Hawaii? Stop by to see the tree in Honolulu. The tree is selected by Department of Parks and Recreation workers, who scope out a candidate on Oahu and ask its owner to donate it. Then it's transplanted and moved to City Hall. The tree will be lit at nightfall Saturday.

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Time to flip the switch

Tree lightings, holiday displays planned around the country

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Time to flip the switch

Tree lightings, holiday displays planned around the country

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