The Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) will continue neighborhood holiday traditions virtually this year. In the spirit of keeping the public safe, these events will not be open to a public audience, but will be available for live streaming.
The celebrations will include a tree lighting and a menorah lighting. The tree lighting will take place on Friday, Dec. 4 and the menorah lighting will take place on the first night of Hanukkah, Thursday, Dec. 10.
Kathy Didden, wife of the late founding BID President George Didden, has proudly flipped the switch to light the tree for the past 13 years, and will continue to take part in the lighting this holiday season. Additionally, Rabbi Hannah will bless the Menorah in celebration of the Festival of Lights and the Pascal family will light the Menorah in honor of past Chairman of the Board and Community Leader, Paul L. Pascal, Esq.
of the public can view the 9 foot tall menorah on the front steps of the Church of Reformation (212 E Capitol St NE) anytime after the lighting. Hill residents can also view the holiday decorations in Parcel One of Eastern Market’s Metro Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave SE and Eighth Street SE) anytime throughout the holiday season while maked and practicing social distancing.
Learn more about the Capitol Hill BID events by visiting capitolhillbid.org.
The National Christmas Tree lighting will also take place via virtual live streaming this year. The tree will be lit on Thursday Dec. 3 accompanied by holiday performances. The National Park Service will not host a live audience at this year’s lighting due to ongoing public health concerns regarding the pandemic. Visitors are invited to visit President’s Park to view the National Christmas Tree and the 56 other trees each representing one of the 50 U.S. States, territories and the District of Columbia. The livestream can be found here.
Sarah Payne is a History and Neuroscience student at The University of Michigan interning with HillRag. She writes for and serves as an assistant news editor for Michigan’s student newspaper, The Michigan Daily. You can reach her at [email protected].
