Lighting the National Christmas Tree

Dec. 3, 1990: Jim won tickets for 4 seats in the lottery for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and we were invited to join him and Lisa. We were at the security entrances promptly at 3:30 pm and found reasonably good seats immediately in front of the television cameras, giving us a good view of the main stage, the remote stage and the tree.

Security required that everyone be seated by 4:30 for the 5 pm show. Entertainers like this Victorian quartet and this military juggler wandered through the waiting throng.

The White House and a very secure Santa's Workshop:









Randy Jackson emceed:

The First Family in the presidential box (from right to left, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, grandmother Marian Robinson and Vice President Joe Biden with his granddaughters):
President Obama speaks before the tree lighting:
The Tree Lighting:

Sheryl Crow; saxophonist Joshua Redman with pianist Brad Mehldau:









Michelle Obama read Twas the Night Before Christmas:
Common and the PS 22 Chorus:









Celtic Women:

Jordin Sparks and Ray LaMontagne:









The Obamas mingle with the entertainers: