Neil Patrick Harris to Host 90th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting, 12/6

Today, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced that acclaimed actor, Neil Patrick Harris will host the 90(th) annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 6.  Additionally, the double-platinum band The Fray, multiple Grammy® winning singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, and Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter/producer Ledisi will join singer James Taylor, ten-time Grammy winner singer/songwriter/producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, two-time Grammy® winner Colbie Caillat and American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips to perform a collection of holiday favorites along with a special guest appearance by Modern Family actor Rico Rodriguez.

The 2012 National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on the Ellipse at President's Park in Washington, D.C.  The ceremony will kick off the holiday season in our nation's capital and can be viewed online LIVE at www.thenationaltree.orgbeginning at 4:30pm ET with the exclusive National Christmas Tree Lighting pre-show.  This year, The Midtown Men, four stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys, will headline the pre-show.  The event also can be seen on public television throughout the month of December.  Broadcast times can be found by checking  local listings or visiting www.thenationaltree.org..

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is the first event in a four-week holiday celebration in President's Park presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, and produced by Bounce.  This year's ceremony marks the 90(th) National Christmas Tree Lighting, an American holiday tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.  More information about  the 2012 National Christmas Tree Lighting, can be found at  www.thenationaltree.org.

The premier sponsor of this year's National Christmas Tree Lighting is UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety organization.  Now in its fourth year, UL's premier sponsorship of the National Christmas Tree Lighting is part of its national safety campaign to educate consumers on how they can make their homes safer during the holidays. More information can be found at www.SafetyAtHome.com.  Other event supporters include GE Lighting, Nicolas Holiday Inc., Amtrak, Guest Services Inc., Hargrove Inc., Hudler Carolina Tree Farms, The Madison, United Airlines and the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System and its 398 National Park sites for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.  The National Park Service works with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.  For more information, visit www.nps.gov.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks.  Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks.  We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.  Join us in supporting your national parks -- this is your land.  www.nationalparks.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

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