A 40-foot Colorado Blue Spruce tree is the centerpiece of this year's Christmas tree and lighting display at the state capitol in Pierre. The tree was donated by the Bob and Carol Krutzfeld family of Huron and decorated by the Mount Rushmore Society in honor of the monument's 75th anniversary. It is the largest of 91 trees lining the rotunda and main hallways of the Capitol's second floor.
All of the trees were lit simultaneously during a ceremony held on Tuesday, Nov. 22. South Dakota. First Lady Linda Daugaard delivered the countdown. Governor Dennis Daugaard spoke at the occasion, asking the assembled to remember the holidays with a sense of thanksgiving and generosity.
See photos from this year's display in this Flickr photo gallery.
The Capitol building will be open from 8:00am - 10:00pm daily. The holiday display will be in place through December 26.
Findi out about daily activities, including many children's events, at the Christmas at the Capitol Web site.