Chicago Seeks Nominations for Millennium Park Christmas Tree

CHICAGO, IL - City officials are seeking the next iconic 2017 Millennium Park Christmas tree. If your tree is over 55 feet tall, you have until Oct. 20 to submit your application. Officials said the winning tree must be either spruce or fir, and be located within 100 miles of Chicago's Loop.

Officials said pine trees won't be accepted, as they aren't strong enough to withstand Chicago's elements.

The family of the selected tree will get the opportunity to light the tree at the 104th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

To submit your tree, email at least two photos (one from afar and one up close) to dcase@cityofchicago.org or mail them to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, ATTN: Christmas Tree Contest, 78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. 60602. Applications must include your name(s), phone number, email address, home address, and a brief description of why the tree should be chosen, including any background information on the tree that makes it special. (For more local news, subscribe to free email news alerts and a daily newsletter for your hometown Patch.)

The first official Chicago Christmas tree went up in 1913 in Grant Park. In 1966, the official tree was put up in Civic Center Plaza, now known as Daley Plaza, where it continued to go up for nearly 50 years. 2017 will mark the third year the tree will go up in Millennium Park.

The tree selected to be Chicago’s 2017 Christmas Tree will be announced in early November, and the official tree lighting will take place at 6p.m. Nov. 17. Admission to the Tree Lighting Ceremony and all other holiday activities in Millennium Park are free.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast