DETROIT (WWJ) - The holidays are a little bit closer after the delivery of Detroit’s Christmas tree.
The 64-foot Norway spruce from Kingsley, Michigan arrived at Campus Martius Park on Nov. 3 in preparation for the holiday season in downtown Detroit.
Campus Martius not only hosts the city's Christmas tree, it also has an ice rink open to the public every year.
The annual tree lighting has grown to become a big event since it started 20 years ago.
“20 years ago, the first tree lighting had 3 to 5,000 people here in the heart of Detroit at Campus Martius Park and now we see over 100,000 folks that night alone so it is quite a festive evening,” David Cowan, Chief Public Spaces Officer of the Downtown Detroit Partnership said.
Buildings in downtown Detroit will also be decked out with festive lights along with the tree. Cowan said the lighting has become a tradition for people around the city and Metro Detroit.
"Our team at the DDP has been behind the transformation of Campus Martius Park for 20 years and this year we celebrate the 20th annual Detroit Tree Lighting and 20 years of making holiday memories in Detroit's gathering place,” Cowan said.
The 20th annual Detroit Tree Lighting will take place on Nov. 17. The ice rink at Campus Martius will open on Nov. 18.