Nova Scotia’s tree for Boston is wrapped and ready to begin its journey to Boston following a celebration in Pictou County Tuesday morning.
Bill and Andrea MacEachern donated the 15-metre, 72-year-old white spruce from their property in Lorne, N.S.
“We are very proud and pleased to let our tree represent Nova Scotia in Boston," said Andrea.
"I ran the Boston Marathon on its 100th anniversary in 1996, so there is a special connection for us and this is a big thrill," said Bill.
Staff and students from the environmental technologies program at the Nova Scotia Community College Strait Area campus cut the tree down at a special ceremony Tuesday morning.
More than 100 local schoolchildren, Pictou County’s Carillon Singers, CTV Atlantic meteorologist Cindy Day and Santa Claus were on hand for the celebration.
Nova Scotia donates a large tree to Boston every year to thank the city for its assistance following the Halifax Explosion in 1917. About 2,000 people were killed and thousands more were left injured and homeless by the explosion, but the City of Boston was among those who responded, providing medical personnel and supplies.
"This is a wonderful way for Nova Scotia to send a big thank you to the people of Boston for helping our province in our time of need back in 1917," said Finance Minister Randy Delorey in a statement Tuesday. "We are grateful to Andrea and Bill MacEachern for donating this beautiful big tree to represent our province."
The tree will now travel to Grand Parade at Halifax City Hall for a final public farewell on Wednesday, before beginning the 1,117-kilometre journey to Boston.
The Nova Scotia Mass Choir and Pictou County singer-songwriter Dave Gunning will perform at the event in Halifax. Guests are also invited to sign a thank-you book for Boston.
The Boston Tree lighting will take place on the Boston Common on Dec. 3.