Media Advisory: Department’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Set for Thursday, November 29

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Join us for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 29 at 4:30 p.m. Every year the department displays a Maryland-grown tree outside its headquarters to encourage residents to support our state’s Christmas tree farmers by buying local holiday trees.

This year’s tree is a 14-foot Norway Spruce donated by Ken and Barbara Willets of E&E Trees in Frederick County. Decorations for the tree will include dried gourds painted by the Annapolis High School Art Club and the National Art Honor Society. Pat and Cindy Hochmuth of Pat’s Produce & Gourds in Wicomico County supplied the dried gourds.

Come early to this year’s celebration to enjoy apple cranberry cookies baked fresh by the students of the Annapolis High School Culinary Club. The apples used in the cookie recipe are from Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Frederick County.

WHAT: Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

WHEN: Thursday, November 29

• 4:15 p.m. – Department staff and Annapolis High School students/faculty will arrive
• 4:30 p.m. – Annual lighting of the tree

WHERE: Maryland Department of Agriculture Headquarters, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis

WHO: Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder, department staff, the Annapolis High School Art Club, the National Art Honor Society, the Annapolis High School Culinary Club, and Annapolis High School culinary and art teachers.

RSVP: Please confirm attendance by contacting Megan Guilfoyle at 410-841-5889 or megan.guilfoyle@maryland.gov.

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Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Twitter @MdAgDept