Handmade ornaments from the public will fill the State Christmas Tree in the Capitol's Memorial Hall this holiday season, and the state is asking for entries now. The Office of the First Lady announced Oct. 29 that it is inviting the public to submit ornaments for the tree, which will be lit during a ceremony at the Capitol in Bismarck on Sunday, Nov. 29.
First Lady Kjersti Armstrong has selected "Kindness" as this year's theme, according to the release from the governor's office.
What can be entered
The governor's office says ornaments can range from traditional to contemporary arts, and designers are free to work in any shape or medium they choose. Items that are commercially produced or made from kits are not eligible, the release states.
Each ornament should include the name of the person entering it, an email address and a brief one- or two-line description, according to the office. That description should cover the art form used and the circumstances in which the ornament was made, such as a class or a senior center project.
The governor's office notes that ornaments become the property of the Office of the First Lady and may be hung on the state tree in later years as well.
Deadline and where to send
Ornaments must be received by the Office of Management and Budget no later than Nov. 23, according to the release. Entries are mailed to State of North Dakota, Office of Management and Budget, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505; the release lists a staff contact to include on the address line, so check the announcement before mailing.
The lighting ceremony
Gov. Kelly Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong are inviting the public to the annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting at the Capitol, according to the office. The Christmas kickoff begins at 3 p.m. on Nov. 29, and the tree lighting ceremony starts at 5 p.m. in Memorial Hall, the release says.
This year's event adds new activities, according to the governor's office, including Northern Lights Reindeer, Grandpa Al's Hayrides, caroling, Copper Dog hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and more. The release does not list a cost for attending.
The office also encourages attendees to bring hats and gloves to donate to Missouri Slope Areawide United Way.
The release does not include parking or accessibility details, so check ahead with the governor's office if you have questions before the event.
