President Obama And First Family To Light The National Christmas Tree December 6 From President's Park

Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and Featuring Performances By The Fray, Jason Mraz, Ledisi, James Taylor, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Colbie Caillat, Phillip Phillips and Rico Rodriguez

Ceremony to be Streamed Live at www.thenationaltree.org on December 6^th at 4:30pm ET and Broadcast Nationally on Public Television Throughout December

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced that President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their family will officially light the National Christmas Tree on Thursday, December 6 at the 90^th annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in President's Park, one of America's nearly 400 national parks.  The ceremony will be streamed LIVE online at www.thenationaltree.org, beginning at 4:30pm ET with the exclusive National Christmas Tree Lighting pre-show.

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

Hosted by acclaimed actor Neil Patrick Harris, this year's National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony features a talented lineup of performers including: double-platinum band The Fray, multiple Grammy® winning singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, and Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter/producer Ledisi will join singer James Taylor, 10-time Grammy winner singer/songwriter/producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, two-time Grammy® winner Colbie Caillat and American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips, along with a special guest appearance by Modern Family actor Rico Rodriguez.

This year's pre-show features a performance by The Midtown Men, four stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys.  Throughout the month of December, the event will be rebroadcast on public television.  Broadcast times can be found by checking  local listings or visiting www.thenationaltree.org. 

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is the first event in a four-week holiday celebration in President's Park presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, and produced by Bounce.  This year's ceremony marks the 90^th National Christmas Tree Lighting, an American holiday tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.  More information about  the 2012 National Christmas Tree Lighting can be found at  www.thenationaltree.org. 

The premier sponsor of this year's National Christmas Tree Lighting is UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety organization.  UL's premier sponsorship of the National Christmas Tree Lighting, now in its fourth year, is part of its national safety campaign to educate consumers on how they can make their homes safer during the holidays. More information can be found at www.SafetyAtHome.com.  Other event supporters include GE Lighting, Nicolas Holiday Inc., Amtrak, Guest Services Inc., Hargrove Inc., Hudler Carolina Tree Farms, The Madison, United Airlines 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 398 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.

Contact:
National Park Service
Toni Braxton (202) 619-7400
[email protected]
Carol Johnson (202)-245-4700   
[email protected]

Contact:

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

SOURCE National Park Foundation