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This season marks the 100th anniversary of the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and NTEU members at the National Park Service (NPS) play an integral role in this holiday tradition.
The first ceremony was in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a 48-foot Balsam Fir from Vermont.
These days, the tree lighting ceremony is an elaborate production that draws 12,000 guests from around the world, complete with a star-studded primetime TV special. To pull off an event like this, it takes months of planning, a lot of hard work and a talented team of employees—who happen to be represented by NTEU.
“We pretty much do everything,” said Joshua Hughes, NPS Park Guide and president of Chapter 336 (NPS National Capital Region).
Hughes and his colleagues are tasked with building the stage, installing risers, moving in trailers, setting up chairs, working with production companies, stringing 13,000 feet (2.5 miles) of lights and putting up more than 400 ornaments. During the lighting ceremony, they oversee the lines of guests and VIPs, handle safety protocols, help with seating and run the medical tent.
“For me, it’s about making sure people are having a good time,” said Hughes.
When the event is over, NPS employees—including NTEU-represented maintenance workers—spend around four days on clean up and then they must quickly get President’s Park ready for the Pathway of Peace, which features 58 additional Fraser firs representing all U.S. states and territories.
NTEU is proud to represent the NPS employees who make spectacular annual traditions like the tree lighting a reality.
Learn more about the history of this event here.
CBS will broadcast the 2022 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m., ET.