This year’s State Capital Christmas tree is a 45-foot-tall Colorado blue spruce grown by the Bowman family in Claverack. The tree will be the center piece of the holiday display at Empire State Plaza, and the annual tree lighting ceremony on December 4th.

The spruce, which was planted by the Bowmans in 1994 when it was six-feet tall, will be cut down on Monday, and transported to the capital plaza. The Bowmans will be on stage at the December 4th tree-lighting ceremony, which begins at 1:00 PM and goes to 8:00. The day’s festivities culminate with the tree lighting and fireworks. The Bowmans plan to grow a new tree, after the current conifer is removed.

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