Boston Bound

A 46-foot Nova Scotian white spruce will soon be harvested and delivered to the City of Boston to take its place as the centre piece of their annual tree lighting festivities. The tradition of sending the people of Boston a Christmas tree dates back to the year following the Halifax Explosion.

In 1918, representatives from Nova Scotia delivered a tree in appreciation for the quick response of aid workers from the Boston Red Cross and Massachusetts Public Safety Committee following the previous years tragic explosion. Renewed as an annual tradition in 1971, the gift reminds Bostonians and Nova Scotians alike of the strong ties that exist between our two regions.

This year’s tree will be felled on November 16 on the property of Floyd and Elaine Shatford of Lunenburg County. From there it will make its way to Boston where it will be welcomed by a reception of dignitaries and local area school children on November 20. Erected on the Boston Common, the magnificent tree will remain on display throughout the holiday season and take centre stage on December 3. The tree lighting ceremony can be viewed on local cable channel WCVB-TV (ABC) Channel 5.

Nova Scotia Come to life will be following the tree’s journey and you can follow along via Twitter and Facebook.