Sacramento-A 60-foot white fir pine tree from Camino (El Dorado County) will be put on display on the west lawn of the State Capitol this week to mark the beginning the Capitol holiday season. The Department of General Services (DGS) will receive the donated tree from the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station Institute of Forest Genetics on Tuesday, November 23, 1999.

 

The tree will be transported by the California Department of Forestry and set up by DGS' Building and Property Management Branch at the Capitol Wednesday, November 24, 1999. When decorated, the tree will feature more than 5,000 lights and ornaments in preparation for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. In keeping with tradition, many of the ornaments to be placed on the tree have been specially handcrafted by children and adults in the State's centers for the developmentally disabled. The Department of Development Services (DDS) has gathered these special ornaments for display.

 

The Capitol Rotunda is being prepared in Victorian holiday style by DGS staff. Special displays will decorate urns, walls, and staircases in the Rotunda, site of this year's tree lighting ceremony scheduled for December 7 at 4 P.M.

 

Note to Media: The tree is due to arrive at the Capitol west lawn at approximately 10 A.M.

 

Contacts: Tree Delivery, Jim DeJournett, DGS, 324-3898 Tree Ornaments, Paul Verke, DDS, 654-1820