SC’s official Christmas tree arrives at Statehouse
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Escorted down Gervais Street by police officers, and soon to be in hundreds of photos and videos, South Carolina’s official Christmas tree has arrived.
Having made its way from Henderson Tree Farms in Morganton, NC, the crew from Timbertech begins the process of getting the 35-foot-tall Norway Spruce ready for its close-ups.
“My favorite part has gotta be the police escort — it’s something I never thought I’d get to experience. Seeing cop cars in front of you, and running through red lights, I mean when does that happen, right?” jokes TimberTech crewmember Brady Woznick.
After a little tidying up, the tree is hoisted into the air, and slowly moved into position. For the crew, however, it’s a bit of a sticky situation.
“So are you guys covered in sap by the end of all this?” asks ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams.
“Um most people are. Yes. It’s a very long process of cleaning after, so it takes a while to get that out of your hair and skin, but it’s definitely worth it,” says Woznick.
In the coming days, Dominion Energy will make the tree sparkle with over 13,000 lights.
And on Monday, members of Columbia Garden Club and Garden Club of South Carolina will decorate it with over 900 red, gold, and silver ornaments.
“It’s such a great way to introduce Christmas to our state. I think many people come from all over the state and take pictures with their families for their Christmas cards. It’s just a wonderful way to give back to our state, and we’re so privileged to be a part of it,” says Melissa Prickett with the Columbia Garden Club.
The tree will remain un-lit until the 59th Annual Governor’s Carolighting ceremony on Sunday, November 23rd with musical performances, and appearances by Miss South Carolina — Sarah Kay Wrenn — and of course another big Christmas celebrity — Santa Claus.
Professor Jeffrey Lampkin and the award-winning Francis Marion University YGB Gospel Choir, Carolighting Children’s Choir, Grace Miller Moody (season 27 contestant on The Voice), the Ft. Jackson 282nd Army Band Quintet and the holiday jazz sounds of Mark Rapp will also perform.
The festivities are set to kick off at the Statehouse at 6 p.m on November 23rd.
