Thousands joined President Obama and the first family to officially launch the holiday season with the lighting of the new National Christmas tree Thursday evening at President’s Park. The previous tree fell during high winds this past February, and the National Park Service planted a new one in March.
“Now I know it’s not as big as the last one, but it’s going to take some time to grow,” Obama said, before enlisting the help of the first lady and their daughters to light the tree. “There are a lot of technical aspects to this,” he explained.
But the tree wasn’t the only highlight for the first daughters. Carson Daly emceed the night, introducing a slew of performers, including Nickelodeon’s teen heartthrobs Big Time Rush.
“We thought we’d give you a jump start on your Christmas list with a present for Sasha and Malia,” Daly told Obama.
Other performers included Rodney Atkins and OneRepublic. Daly also received some hosting help from Kermit the Frog, who joined Michelle Obama onstage for a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and introduced the jolly man himself, Santa Claus. Kermit enlisted St. Nick’s help in dealing with Miss Piggy’s Christmas list.
“It’s 342 pages long, and that doesn’t even include all the amendments and subcommittee mark-ups,” he said.
All the performers joined Santa and the Obamas onstage at the end of the night to lead a sing-along rendition of “Winter Wonderland.” The president had given everyone warm wishes earlier in the evening.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to each other,” he said. “On behalf of Malia and Sasha and Michelle, and our grandmother-in-chief Marian, we wish you a Merry Christmas and the happiest of seasons.”
