December 2, 2004

GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND FIRST LADY MARIA SHRIVER HOST THE 73RD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver hosted the 73rd annual state Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West steps of the State Capitol this evening. The ceremony included local musical talent, featured artist Stephen Stills, and the official lighting of the state Christmas Tree.

"As we celebrate this holiday season we have much to be thankful for as Californians. Over the past year we have worked together to restore the California dream and we are moving our great state forward," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This time of year also calls us to reach out to the less fortunate, to keep them in our hearts and give them a helping hand not only during this season, but throughout the year."

During the ceremony, emceed by "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Nancy O'Dell, both the Governor and First Lady addressed the crowd, welcoming in the holiday season, remembering military service men and women serving overseas, and asking all Californians to remember the importance of helping others throughout the year. Stephen Stills performed two songs and the Sacramento Children's Chorus, California State University, Sacramento French Horn Section and St. Paul's Baptist Choir performed the musical prelude and throughout the ceremony.

"During this season it is important to remember our many brave service men and women who will not be home to spend the holidays with their families," said First Lady Maria Shriver. "Tonight we salute and thank them and their loved ones for their bravery, commitment and sacrifice."

The Governor and First Lady were joined by seven year-old Ariana Pole of Hoopa in hanging the final ornaments and lighting the tree. Ariana was born in 1997 with cerebral palsy. She participated in California's Early Start Program and continues to participate in programs through the Redwood Coast Regional Center. The ornaments the Governor and Ariana hung on the tree were made by the Lanterman Center, a facility for the developmentally disabled. This is the 21st year a developmentally disabled child has been invited to participate in the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The 56-foot white fir tree from the Sierra community of Camino in El Dorado County features more than 5,000 lights. Approximately 725 of the 2,000 ornaments on the tree were made by persons with developmental disabilities. A crew of people decorated the tree over the course of approximately one week. The tree, located on the west side of the State Capitol, will be lit nightly from sunset until 10 p.m. through early January.

In addition to the State Christmas Tree, the Governor's Capitol Office has been decorated for the holiday season by the renowned designer Christopher Radko. He personally designed and donated two trees featuring his hand-made glass ornaments that the Governor and First Lady have collected over the years. Radko is donating the ornaments to the Governor's Office and the State of California so the state can have its own collection for years to come.

See tree lighting ceremony photos