[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/32940517 w=400&h=225]
Christmas in Beantown from Daily Free Press on Vimeo.
By Lauren Dezenski
Copley Christmas Tree: (info courtesy of friendsofcopleysquare.org)
In 1883, the public space formerly known as Art Square officially received its current name.
Featured guests at this year’s tree lighting included WHDH anchor Janet Wu, Santa Claus, Rudolph, and the Bear from Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”
When the tree was illuminated, the Old South Church tolled its bells.
Boston Common Christmas Tree: (info courtesy of Boston Parks and Recreation)
The Boston Common Christmas Tree is an annual gift from Nova Scotia as a way to thank the people of Boston for providing emergency assistance when an explosion in 1917 devastated Nova Scotia’s capital city, Halifax. This is the 40th anniversary of this tradition.
The official 2011 tree is a 45-foot white spruce donated by Ken and Donna Spinney of Central Argyle, Nova Scotia.
For those who can’t attend the Thurs. Dec. 1 lighting at 7:55 p.m., WCVB-TV will air live coverage of the event starting at 7 p.m.
Police escort delivered the tree to its current location on the Common near the Boston Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Plaza on Nov. 18.
Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree: (Courtesy of Boston.com)
This is the 27 year of the Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree, which features over 20,000 lights.
This year’s Christmas tree is an 85-foot Norwegian Spruce.
The Faneuil Hall tree was this year’s first Boston Christmas tree to be lit—illuminated on Nov. 19.
Prudential Center Christmas Tree: (Courtesy visitboston.com)
The Pru Christmas Tree is also a gift of the people of Nova Scotia, in addition to the Boston Common Christmas Tree.
The Pru and Boston Common trees need to stand between 40 and 50 feet tall and are not farmed—instead, they’re grown free standing in open fields, allowing for room for growth.
Back in 1917, Boston sent relief aid after the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship that was filled with wartime explosives, accidently collided with the Norwegian SS Imo in the Halifax Harbour. Boston Red Cross and the Massachusetts Public Safety Committee responded immediately and sent relief trains filled with supplies to the victims of the accident.