N.D. tree lighting planned Monday

The North Dakota Council on the Arts, along with the governor’s office and facility management, invites the general public to the lighting ceremony for the 2012 North Dakota State Christmas Tree.

The ceremony will be conducted by Gov. Jack Dalrymple and first lady Betsy Dalrymple at 5 p.m. on Monday in the Memorial Hall of the Capitol building in Bismarck.

Live entertainment will be provided by Joel Gilbertson, pianist; Bismarck High School New Generation Jazz Choir; and University of Mary Brass Quartet.

Readings will be presented by Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley, and Kathleen Wrigley. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

A “Holidays in the Heartland” wheat theme was chosen this year to highlight North Dakota’s agricultural successes.

The tree will be decorated with ornaments handmade by children, students, artists and craftspeople from all over North Dakota, as has been the tradition since 1981. This year more than 100 ornaments were donated to the state tree. A descriptive listing of the ornaments will be available at the ceremony.

Tags: diversions, holiday