A Yarmouth County couple has been selected to provide Nova Scotia's Christmas tree gift to Boston this year on its 40th anniversary.
Ken and Donna Spinney of Central Argyle will be donating a 45-foot white spruce from their property during a public ceremony on Nov. 15.
"We are thrilled to be this year's donors of Nova Scotia's gift to Boston, especially on the 40th year," said Donna Spinney. "We look forward to hosting this fun ceremony on our property here in Central Argyle."
Students from three Yarmouth County elementary schools will take part in the ceremony along with members of the provincial and municipal government, members of the RCMP and a town crier. Stories about the tradition will also be told during a poetry presentation.
Each year since 1971, Boston has been receiving a large evergreen tree from Nova Scotia as a sign of gratitude for the help provided after the Halifax Explosion of Dec. 6, 1917.
"The tree-cutting ceremony is the first step in this wonderful yearly Nova Scotia tradition and I encourage everyone to join us," said Charlie Parker, Minister of Natural Resources.
The white spruce will leave the province after boarding the ferry at Digby on a large truck, cross the Bay of Fundy into New Brunswick and carry on to Massachusetts.
People will be able to track the tree's trip to Boston online through regular website updates.
The tree-lighting ceremony, which brings roughly 30,000 people to the Boston Common, can be followed through live broadcasts.
