Contact: National Park Service Toni Braxton (202) 619-4400 Toni_Braxton@nps.gov Carol Johnson (202-245-4700 Carol_B_Johnson@nps.

gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Contact: National Park Foundation Marjorie Hall (202) 354-6480 Mhall@nationalparks.org

2012 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to be Held on December 6 Ticket Lottery Opens October 25
Washington, D.C. The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held annually on the Ellipse to kick off the holiday season in our Nations Capital, this year will be held Thursday, December 6, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. (EST), the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced today. Free tickets for the 90th annual tree-lighting ceremony will be awarded through an online lottery, which will open at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, October 25 and close at 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Monday, October 29. Those seeking tickets can enter the lottery by going to www.thenationaltree.org and clicking the TICKET LOTTERY link. Those without computer access may call 877-444-6777 (TDD 877-833-6777) to enter the lottery. There are 3,000 seated tickets and 14,000 standing-room tickets available through the lottery. Winners will be notified by email by November 1. In addition, lottery entrants can check the status of their requests starting on November 1 by signing in to www.recreation.gov. The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of Americas national parks, with support from the events premier sponsor, UL. Other supporters include GE Lighting, Amtrak, Guest Services, Inc. and Hudler Carolina Tree Farms. 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 cooperates 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 part-owner of 84 million acres of the worlds most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems and historical sites -- all protected in Americas nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of Americas national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to help connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us This is Your Land. www.nationalparks.org FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/npspresidentspark TWITTER http://twitter.com/goparks # # #