Wreaths and big red bows adorned the room as Wisconsinites and community members of all ages gathered in the Capitol Rotunda Thursday with Gov. Tony Evers for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, which included special guest Smokey Bear.
This year’s theme for the green 30-foot balsam fir is “125 years of Wisconsin’s State Parks” to launch a celebration for the anniversary in 2025. The first state park in Wisconsin, Interstate Park, opened in 1900, and Wisconsin now boasts 50 state parks.
Kids, students and families sent in homemade ornaments to decorate the tree, sharing what the state parks mean to them. The ornaments featured Wisconsin’s native animals and plants, natural features and favorite outdoor activities such as kayaking and camping.
Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers welcomed the audience and spoke along with Robin Schmidt, a Natural Resources Board member who shared a personal anecdote of visiting state parks with family.
“Regardless of age, we all benefit from these experiences that will last a lifetime,” Schmidt said.
At the ceremony Evers shared his appreciation for state parks.
“As governor, I’ve had the privilege of visiting at least a dozen state parks just in the last few years. I think we can all agree we are fortunate to be surrounded by so much natural beauty every day. Wisconsin is a treasure of natural beauty and wonder,” Evers said.
After a countdown, Smokey Bear joined a 7th grader, who shared stories of her experience with and love for Wisconsin’s state parks, to push the button and light up the tree’s LED lights.
Wauwatosa East Orchestra played festive holiday music for the second year in a row.
Rich Burke and the Burke family in Rhinelander donated this year’s tree, making this the second year in a row that the Capitol’s tree came from the Rhinelander area.
The tree was selected for its height and natural shape, never having been trimmed, and was cut down in a ceremony last month. This follows a tradition of selecting a tree from Wisconsin landowners, honoring the state’s heritage of forestry.
The tree will be displayed in the Capitol Rotunda through the end of the year for the public to see.
