Mayo Fires Up Christmas Tree Tonight

Plans are being finalized for tomorrow’s event at Rochester’s  Peace Plaza.  The highlight will be the appearance of the Capitol ChristmasTree, which was cut down in northern Minnesota last week and is making stops on its way to Washington, DC.  The big tree is scheduled to arrive around 11 a.m.  It will be on display until 2:30.  But festivities will continue after the tree is gone.

Nearly 300 theatre, music and dance performers from schools and other groups will take part in the event, which will run through 5 p.m.

Mayo Clinic’s big Christmas Tree is also being activated early in honor of the Capitol Tree’s visit to the city.

The tree consists of 60 lighted windows between the 4th and 12th floors on the south side of the Plummer Building.

The tree will shine daily from 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. until Dec. 31.

Here is the list of entertainment for today's event:

the Rochester Dance Company, Ojibwe and Dakota ceremony, Bella Voce Young Women’s Choir, Words Players Theater, Commonweal Theatre, Minnesota SkyVault Theater Company, Minnesota Ballet Theatre, Rochester Central Lutheran School bell choir, Bamber Valley World Drum Group, Zumbro Valley Sweet Adelines, Lourdes High School concert choir, Allegro School of Dance and Music, Rochester Male Chorus, Rochester Carillon, vocal performances by local artists, presentations by public officials, visits by Smokey the Bear and live reindeer, hot chocolate and food vendors, a gift drive for Toys for Tots, a food drive for Channel One and much more.