Lansing’s oversized red holiday ornaments were scheduled for installation at the Washington Square and Michigan Avenue traffic circle Thursday, Nov. 5, at noon, WILX reported.
Lansing Board of Water & Light crews and the city’s Public Service Department were assigned to transport and install the decorations.
The return of the Big Red Balls comes just over two weeks before the 42nd annual Silver Bells in the City celebration in downtown Lansing. That event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, with a tree-lighting ceremony at approximately 7:25 p.m., according to the organizer’s current schedule.
Silver Bells is also set to feature the 29th annual Electric Light Parade, a drone light show, fireworks over the Capitol, weather permitting, and a shopping village.
Before the tree lighting, the state Christmas tree itself has a journey to make. A 60-foot spruce donated by the Larry Riccio family of Iron Mountain was scheduled to be harvested Nov. 5 and transported to Lansing. It is expected to arrive downtown Saturday, Nov. 7, where it will stand in front of the Capitol, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
Local Scouts will continue their tradition of untying the tree once it arrives. The city’s forestry team will then prepare it for lights and decorations.
The spruce is the second from Iron Mountain chosen for the Capitol and the 26th from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula since the state’s annual Capitol Christmas tree tradition began in 1987.
What’s ahead
- Saturday, Nov. 7: State Christmas tree expected to arrive at the Capitol.
- Friday, Nov. 20: 42nd annual Silver Bells in the City, including tree lighting at approximately 7:25 p.m., light parade, drone show and fireworks (weather permitting).
