Northlake tree picked for Chicago’s Christmas tree

A big, lovely Colorado blue spruce is standing in front of Winnipeg’s city hall, ready to be decorated with lights for the holidays.

After an annual call for submissions, this year’s tree was donated by the Voelker family of suburban Northlake.

Monday morning, the city of Chicago’s officials Christmas tree will be cut down and make its way to Millennium Park.

The free event begins at 5:30 p.m. and the official tree lighting will be at 6 p.m.

American opera singer Renée Fleming will be the headliner at the 102nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Chicago. “I invite you to join me in Millennium Park together with your family and friends for this long held holiday tradition”.

Chicago’s first official Christmas tree was lit by Mayor Carter Harrison in 1913 in Grant Park at Monroe Street and Michigan Avenue, two blocks from where this year’s tree will stand. It will be delivered Tuesday to Millennium Park.

For the past 48 years, with one exception, Chicago’s Christmas Tree stood on Daley Plaza.