Bidens host 100th annual White House Christmas tree lighting
Jenny Goldsberry
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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will light the National Christmas Tree for the 100th celebration on Wednesday at President’s Park near the White House.
LL Cool J is slated to host for a second consecutive year, with additional performances from Gloria Estefan, Andy Grammer, Joss Stone, Shania Twain, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Yolanda Adams, and Ariana DeBose. The complete ceremony will be broadcast on CBS on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. EST.
YOU CAN CUT DOWN YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE ON FEDERAL LAND WITH A PERMIT
Despite the long-running tradition, it is only the second time the living 27-foot white fir tree will be featured because its predecessor suffered a fungal disease that resulted in its removal in May 2021. It is found on President’s Park south of the White House, in between the residence and the South Lawn.
In the meantime, the tree will be open to the public beginning Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There are 58 other decorated trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree, which will remain decorated until Jan. 1.
For those in the Washington, D.C., area, the event will mean a number of road closures happening Wednesday night.
The Metropolitan Police Department posted the following streets as “Emergency No Parking” Wednesday morning:
17th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW Constitution Avenue between 18th Street and 14th Street NW 15th Street between F Street and Constitution Avenue NW
Then, beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday and continuing until 7 p.m., the following streets will be completely closed to traffic:
17th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Independence Avenue SW C Street between 17th Street and 18th Street NW D Street between 17th Street and 18th Street NW E Street between 17th Street and 18th Street NW F Street between 17th Street and 18th Street NW G Street between 17th Street and 18th Street NW New York Avenue between 17th Street and 18th Street NW Constitution Avenue between 18th Street and 14th Street NW 15th Street between F Street and Independence Avenue SW Pennsylvania Avenue between 14th Street and 15th Street NW
Any vehicle found violating these temporary traffic advisories can be expected to be ticketed and towed, according to MPD.
“The Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Department of Transportation also wishes to remind motorists in the vicinity of this event to proceed with caution as increased pedestrian traffic can be anticipated,” the department wrote in a news release.
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The holiday event comes as local nurseries report a tree shortage of about 30%, resulting in a hike in prices for living Christmas trees.