The ByWard Market is kicking off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony, but this year it comes with a last-minute twist. The massive 48-foot artificial Christmas tree designed to be the centerpiece of a brand-new laser show won’t be making its debut, after it was delayed in transit. Instead, a real 25-foot tree will stand in and take its place. “It was the first time we were actually going to try out an artificial tree and the reason we wanted to is because we would be able to use it year over year and it’s actually integrated into our laser and projection show, so it was easier to project onto that tree,” Victoria Williston, communications manager for the ByWard Market District Authority, told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal on Friday. “It’s already in Ottawa today, but just due to the size, they weren’t able to put it up.” So, they called up the understudy, a 25-foot real tree from Manotick because, like any good show, this one had to go on. “We wanted to make sure that we had the best event that we could for our guests, so we got that real tree,” said Williston. Williston says the stand in tree will be moved to another spot when the original one is installed on Monday. Tree lighting ceremony The tree lighting ceremony gets underway at 5:30 p.m. Friday and the laser show will run every night at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. until Jan. 1. Williston says there will be carolers, an inaugural laser and projection light show, along with a Winterlude announcement at Friday’s ceremony. The event is also set to feature a craft market, horse-drawn wagon rides and a fire-and-light juggling performance by Rockabilly Joe. Attendees will also have the chance to ring in the festive season in truly Canadian fashion with a free Beavertail. Coupons for the pastry will be available while supplies last and can be used for immediate redemption or saved for a return visit to the ByWard Market. “This event launches one of the most exciting seasons in the ByWard Market,” said Melanie Anderson, acting executive director and general manager of the ByWard Market District Authority. With files from CTV’s Camille Wilson.
