This Thursday the Boston Common will become a real winter wonderland. The 71st Annual Frog Pond Skating Spectacular and Tree Lighting will take place from 5:00-8:00pm, marking the beginning of Boston’s holiday celebrations. This holiday spectacular, complete with a free show by the Skating Club of Boston and other performances, is predicted to attract over 30,000 people including Mayor Menino and Nova Scotia’s Deputy Premier, the Honorable Frank Corbett. Other appearances will include Santa Claus, Nova Scotia band, Squid, the Floorlords breakdancing team, Elliot Yamin of American Idol, the Grinch and many more.
It may seem strange that the Boston Common Christmas tree is a gift from our friends to the north. Boston’s lasting friendship with Nova Scotia originated in 1917 when Boston was the first American responders to an explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax. The explosion killed nearly 2,000 civilians. Within 24 hours of the devastation, a Boston train with supplies and emergency personnel arrived to aid Halifax. It was because of this act of kindness that Boston receives a Christmas tree from Nova Scotia every year for the tree lighting. Paul and Jan Hicks of Jordan Bay donated the 45-foot white spruce this year. Soon 41 trees in 41 years will have been lit in Boston Common to commemorate this wonderful tradition!
Please join us Thursday for the music and festivities! For more information, please call 617-635-4505 or visit cityofboston.gov/parks.
