Baltimore celebrates holidays with Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting at War Memorial Plaza
BALTIMORE- A massive Christmas Tree in front of City Hall was filled with bright lights in downtown Baltimore on Wednesday.
The 30-foot Norwood Spruce will be lit up Wednesday evening for the mayor's annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at War Memorial Plaza. WJZ Meteorologist Tim Williams was an emcee in the event.
The tree was donated by the Clemsonville Tree Farm in Frederick County.
It was decorated Tuesday in red ribbon and gold ornaments to match the inside of Baltimore's City Hall.
"I really hope when they see it, that they have an overwhelming sense of how much love we put into getting this here and how much teamwork it took to get this here," said Alysha Page, Curator for Baltimore City Hall. "I hope they have that 'awe' moment of when you turn on your Christmas lights and have that moment of joy."
Page said the tree symbolizes city togetherness and union.
There was Christmas music, marching bands, local bands, choirs and food.
Also, people were able to drop off toy donations for the Toys for Tots fundraiser, organized by the U.S. Marines.
Last year, more than 100,000 toys were donated from the Baltimore area and delivered to 40,000 children.
The campaign goes until Dec. 15.
"Toys for Tots is an amazing program, especially this time of year," Gummy Wright said. "It is a way for us to give back to the community and let the children, as well as the parents, know that they are not forgotten. There are a lot of kids out there who wouldn't otherwise have a big Christmas. It is more than a gift; it is a signal of hope for those children."
WJZ is a proud media sponsor of the Mayor's Tree Lighting Ceremony.
WJZ's streaming coverage started at 6 p.m. on CBS News Baltimore. The tree lighting went off at 7 p.m.
