LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The 36th Capitol Christmas tree is shining brightly for the holiday season. The Capitol tree is selected every year by the Michigan Department of Management and Budget.
Mindy Biladeau is the Vice President of sales and service for the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (EPFA). She’s one of the people in charge of the downtown holiday celebrations, she said this year 6,650 lights decorate the tree. It takes partners from the city, the Lansing Board of Water and Light, and the EPFA a few months to decorate more than 100 buildings in the downtown area for the holidays.
“You go through the nomination process and a huge site search all over the state, so this beautiful tree is 60-foot tall and it is a spruce from Onaway, Michigan,” Biladeau said. “It’s been going on for quite a few decades. it started back in 1987 and there’s been a beautiful tree standing tall in front of the capital ever since.”
Every year, the holidays kick off before Thanksgiving with the Silverbells in the City celebration. 50,000 people gathered downtown for the 39th year of festivities.
“This year was the 39th year, it started with the electric light parade, followed by the lighting of the state capital Christmas tree, a drone light show, and then fireworks light up the sky behind the capitol to cap off the evening,” Biladeau said. “It’s that magic and just all walks of life come together in a great environment to celebrate.”
Biledau said these celebrations span generations of families and bring people together to usher in the magic of the holidays. This year’s tree was donated by Onaway resident Vic Ruppert and his family, they donated the tree in honor of his late wife Shirley Ruppert, and it will be on display on Capitol Avenue through new year’s.
