Columbia, S.C. - (November 14, 2014) South Carolina's Official Christmas Tree will arrive at the State House on Monday, November 17 at approximately 9 a.m.
The state Christmas tree's journey to the north lawn of the State House is a special ritual for Bruce Vollnogle, owner of TimberTech in Greer. Vollnogle, who for the past nine years has been spreading Christmas cheer by volunteering his time and services to deliver the tree to its final home, will make the drive to Pinetum Christmas Tree Farm in Swanton, Maryland, to pick up this year's tree.
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This year's tree is a 29 foot tall Concolor Fir, also known as a white fir, and will stand at 33 feet when placed in the tree stand. It is the second year that the South Carolina Garden Club and the Columbia Garden Club have worked with Pinetum Christmas Tree Farm, owned by Marshall and Cindy Stacy.
"Their trees are ideal for our tree stand and the large number of lights and decorations. The Stacys are thrilled to have one of their trees chosen as our state Christmas tree. They own a condominium near Hilton Head Island, and love spending their vacation time there and consider South Carolina their second home. South Carolina is not known for growing the Christmas trees needed for our state tree. The trade-off is the famously hot climate we get to enjoy year round. We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with an outstanding business with ties to South Carolina," says Jane Suggs of the Columbia Garden Club.
Decorating such a large tree is no simple feat. SCE&G will string 11,000 LED lights and the Columbia Garden Club will assist them in hanging 900 ornaments. The teams plan to complete decorating activities by the evening of Friday, November 21.
The tree will stay dark until Monday, December 1, 2014, when the 48th Annual Governor's Carolighting kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
A longtime family tradition, the event brings South Carolinians together for caroling and the ceremonial tree lighting.
The 48th Annual Governor's Carolighting is sponsored by the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitor Bureau, the Columbia Garden Club and the Garden Club of South Carolina.
About the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism:
The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism is a private, not-for-profit corporation funded primarily by revenue generated by visitors through accommodations taxes and is the parent organization of Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, and Columbia Regional Sports Council. The mission of the Midlands Authority is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling of the entire Columbia region, its accommodations, restaurants, facilities and attractions as a destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, special events and leisure travel. For more information, please visit columbiacvb.com.
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