The new, 28-foot Christmas tree outside City Hall will be lit up tonight. (CITY OF WINNIPEG / YOUTUBE)
Winnipeg’s City Hall is getting into the holiday spirit tonight with the lighting of its annual Christmas tree.
The tree will look a little bit different than it normally does, due to the fact the city went with an artificial tree this year instead of cutting one down. A late fall snowstorm in October, paired with millions in damage, has staff from the city’s forestry branch assigned to clean-up duty and unable to cut down a traditional live spruce tree.
Instead, the city purchased a 28-foot tall artificial tree with 15,400 mini LED lights and a custom star topper.
“We’ve already been getting a lot of positive feedback on it and how nice it looks,” said Derek Resch, public service operations supervisor, as the tree was being installed for the first time at the end of November.
Tonight’s lighting ceremony will begin at approximately 5:45 p.m. The RCAF Band Brass Quintet will be on hand to perform outside during the event.
Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy in support of Toy Mountain and the Christmas Cheer Board, which can be donated at the beginning of the event.
Guests will be invited inside City Hall for an open house until 7 p.m., following the conclusion of the lighting ceremony.
— With files from the City of Winnipeg
