A couple from Shelburne County, N.S. is donating a large tree on their property to the annual Nova Scotia Tree for Boston.
Paul and Jan Hicks live in Jordan Bay. They say they are honoured to be this year’s donors and are ready to part with the 70-year-old tree.
"I was pretty excited when I learned that our tree would be sent to Boston," said Paul Hicks. "This is a real honour and our children, Matthew and Colin, are really excited, too. This is a big thing for the whole community."
A crew from Natural Resources will cut the 15-metre white spruce on the Hicks’ property during a public ceremony on Nov. 13.
The province will then ship the tree to Boston, as part of the annual tradition.
"This year, our province enters the fifth decade of presenting a large, beautiful Nova Scotia Christmas tree to the people of Boston as thanks for the their help in the aftermath of the 1917 Halifax explosion," said Maurice Smith, acting Minister of Natural Resources. "On behalf of the province, I thank Paul and Jan for providing this year's remarkable tree to represent Nova Scotia's gratitude to Boston."
Hundreds of students, RCMP officers, government officials and members of the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia are expected to attend the traditional tree-cutting ceremony next month, not to mention curious onlookers.
Each year since 1971, Nova Scotia has sent a large Christmas tree to Boston to thank Bostonians for their help after the devastating Halifax Explosion of Dec. 6, 1917.
Close to 2,000 people were killed and hundreds were left hurt and homeless in the blast and Boston was quick to provide medical personnel and supplies.
The tree lighting will take place on the Boston Common on Nov. 29. Roughly 30,000 people are expected to attend the event.
CTV will provide coverage of the event on CTV News at 5.
Click here to learn more about the Nova Scotia Tree for Boston.
