Seeing Trees in a Whole New Light Makes Holiday Bright
Pictured: The Nation’s Christmas Tree ceremony takes place each year as the Sanger Chamber of Commerce makes “The Trek”
When Charles E. Lee of Sanger, California stood next to a little girl and they both looked up at a massive tree in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park in 1924, the girl exclaimed, “what a wonderful Christmas tree it would be!” In 1925 Lee organized the first Christmas program held at the General Grant Tree at noon on Christmas Day. He worked with the Sanger Chamber of Commerce and wrote to President Calvin Coolidge, who designated the General Grant as the Nation’s Christmas Tree on April 28, 1926. The Sanger Chamber of Commerce continues to sponsor an annual Christmas “Trek to the Nation’s Tree” on the second Sunday of December. You can sign up and take the bus ride (for a fee) to see the tree!
Californians spend their winter seeing trees in a whole new light when they pitch in to light up their cities & towns with sparkling LEDs and other types of holiday lights. They go to tree lighting celebrations, sing carols, drink cocoa and visit with Santa who often flicks the switch. This week is tree heaven for those who love holiday traditions.
California Tree Lighting Ceremonies
California State Capitol Tree Lighting – Governor Officiates December 5, 2019
DUARTE
FONTANA
LA PALMA
LONG BEACH
PARAMOUNT
SANGER
SIGNAL HILL
ARTESIA
BALDWIN PARK
BREA
CARLSBAD
CARMICHAEL
CITRUS HEIGHTS
CULVER CITY
DAVIS
DIXON
DUBLIN
EL SEGUNDO
HESPERIA
LA JOLLA
MONROVIA
MORAGA
OCEANSIDE
ROSEVILLE
SAN BRUNO
SANTA CLARITA
SANTA MONICA
SOUTH EL MONTE
SPRING VALLEY
STANTON
TULARE
WALNUT CREEK
