Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The family whose tree is being used in Chicago’s 112th Christmas tree-lighting ceremony Friday has ties to Kosciusko County.
Jody and Ryan Mason, of Glenview, Ill., had their tree chosen to be used during the tree-lighting ceremony. Jody’s parents are Dr. David and Margaret Kahn, Winona Lake.
The Masons plan to add on to their home and their 45-year-old Norway spruce in their front yard and was going to have to be torn down, said David. The Masons submitted the tree in September to possibly be used as the Christmas tree lit in Millennium Park. The Masons were told by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events there were about 100 trees submitted for the tree lighting.
The Masons’ tree was selected. The tree was transported about two weeks ago to Millennium Park. Kahn said the tree is 12,000 pounds and 68 feet tall. They were told it was probably the largest tree the city has ever had for the tree-lighting ceremony.
The tree is decorated with about 8 miles of lights and more than 100 decorations.
The Chicago Christmas tree-lighting ceremony will be Friday at 6 p.m. with the tree being lit about 6:25 p.m. Central time.
Jody and Ryan, with children Lucas and Evelyn, will be on the stage during part of the ceremony and will be able to pull the lever to light the tree.
People can watch the tree-lighting on NBC 5 Chicago News’ streaming channel.
The tree will stay lit until early January.
Lucas and Evelyn saved some pine cones, so David and wife Margaret have a 20-acre property in the county they call a tree farm that has about 1,500 trees on it. David said they’re going to try to get some seeds from the pine cones and put them out in the field in honor of the tree that was cut down.
