President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
hosted the 94th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse at the
White House on Thursday evening, where they lit the tree for their final time
as the first family.
The Obamas, along with their younger daughter,
Sasha, 15, took the stage following a musical performance by Kelly Clarkson and
introduction by host Eva Longoria. The president spoke briefly to the crowd
gathered on the Ellipse, saying, “To everybody who’s here tonight and everybody
watching at home, it is now officially the time to light this tree!”.
After leading the cheering crowd in a 5-second
countdown, the president officially lit up the tree and wished everyone a
“Merry Christmas” as Michelle and Sasha waved to the audience. The president
and first lady smiled and held hands as they left the stage with their
daughter.
Lucky guests at the star-studded event who won tickets through a lottery held in
October, were then treated to performances
from some of the biggest names in music, including Garth Brooks, Chance the
Rapper, James Taylor, Trisha Yearwood, The Lumineers and Yolanda Adams.
The Obamas watched the performances from the crowd,
and Sasha was spotted singing along to Chance the Rapper as he performed his
hit “Sunday Candy.”
The National Christmas Tree is a Colorado blue
spruce that was planted on the Ellipse in 2012 after the longstanding previous
tree was felled by high winds in 2011, according to NBC News. The tree is
adorned with LED energy-efficient red, white and blue lights, as well as stars
and sugar plum ornaments, The Washington Post reports.
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