National Park Service & National Park Foundation Announce Carson Daly As Host of the 89th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting

ONEREPUBLIC, RODNEY ATKINS AND MARSHA AMBROSIUS TO PERFORM WITH SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY KERMIT THE FROG

Ceremony to be Streamed LIVE at www.thenationaltree.org on December 1 Beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET and Broadcast Nationally on Public Television Throughout December

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced that television and radio personality Carson Daly will host the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting.    In addition, the platinum selling band OneRepublic will perform along with country music star Rodney Atkins and six-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Marsha Ambrosius.  The evening will also feature a special appearance by Kermit the Frog, star of The Muppets, along with several other special guests.  Additional performers and special guests for the event will be announced shortly. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO)

The 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Thursday, December 1, 2011, on the Ellipse at President's Park in Washington, D.C.  The ceremony will usher in the holiday season in our nation's capital and can be viewed LIVE online at www.thenationaltree.org beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET with the exclusive National Christmas Tree Lighting pre-show.  The event can also be seen on public television throughout the month of December.  Check local listings or visit www.thenationaltree.org for more information. 

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony marks the opening of the four-week event sponsored by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's National Parks. 

Originally started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923, this year's ceremony marks the 89th National Christmas Tree Lighting.  The annual event has become an American holiday tradition.  For more information about the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting, visit www.thenationaltree.org. 

The 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation and produced by Alex Coletti Productions. 

The premier sponsor of this year's National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety organization.  Now in its fourth year, the premier sponsorship of the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is part of a national safety campaign by UL to encourage families to Commit a Minute to Safety this holiday season.  You can learn more at www.SafetyAtHome.com.

Other event supporters include GE Lighting, Amtrak, Guest Services Inc., Hargrove Inc., Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Washington, D.C., W Washington, D.C., Hudler Carolina Tree Farms and the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System and its 397 National Park sites for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.  The National Park Service works with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.  For more information, visit www.nps.gov.       

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks.  Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks.  We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.  Join us in supporting your national parks -- this is your land.  www.nationalparks.org.

CONTACTS:
National Park Service
Bill Line, Toni Braxton
(202) 619-7400
[email protected]

National Park Foundation
Marjorie Hall
(202) 354-6480
[email protected]

SOURCE National Park Foundation