Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958
Ceremony Shines Spotlight on Performances by the Cast from The Sound of Music, The Police Department Band and Local High School Bands
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and five foster children representing the five boroughs tonight lit up the City's Christmas tree, a 60-foot tall Balsam Fir that will illuminate City Hall Park throughout the holiday season. Also taking part in the holiday festivities was Dennis Riese of The Riese Organization, which has generously donated New York City's official holiday trees for the past five years.
The Christmas tree, adorned by 10,000 multi-colored lights, was trucked to New York City from a tree farm in Barton, Vermont, fifty miles from the Canadian border.
"Today marks the 85th year that the City Hall Christmas Tree has been part of the City's holiday celebration," Mayor Giuliani said. "Because of the extensive renovations being done to City Hall Park - which will return it to its originally glory - the tree now sits at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. This has always been one of my favorite Christmas traditions and I can think of no better location from which to kick off the holiday season in New York City than right here."
"As we listen to the sounds of music and light the Christmas tree tonight, I want to thank Dennis Riese and The Riese Organization for their generosity in donating the tree as they done have for the past five years. I wish all New Yorkers a happy and healthy holiday season, here in the Capital of the World."
The evening festivities included performances by the cast of The Sound of Music, The Police Department Band, The New York City Youth Department (NYCYD) Chorus, The Rudolf Steiner School Flute Choir, and The Hunter College High School Jazz Chorus.
On December 24, 1913, Acting Mayor Ardolph Kline invited a young boy to help him light the first Christmas tree at City Hall, beginning a tradition that continues today. Special to this year's ceremony was the assistance of five children who each hail from one of the five boroughs. The children are under the care of the Administration for Children's Services.
In the spirit of the holiday season, City employees are donating toys in response to the Mayor's Toy Drive 1998. "One of the great qualities we hold in common as New Yorkers is our willingness to help others," Mayor Giuliani said. "By your participation in Toy Drive 1998, you demonstrate this spirit by bringing joy into a child's life."
Other sponsors of tonight's event were J&R Music World/J&R Computer World, American Red Cross, Brooklyn Children's Museum-Museum Team After-School Program, Duane Reade, Flowers of the World, Interstate Brands Corporation, Martin's Pretzels, The Orchards of Concklin, Red Jacket Orchards, and Samascott Orchards.
In other holiday observances, Mayor Giuliani will host a Menorah Lighting ceremony on December 17th and a Kwanzaa celebration on December 18th.