Pittsburgh Tree Of Lights To Be Replaced By New Display

PITTSBURGH, PA — For more than 30 years, the Tree of Lights has illuminated Point State Park during the holiday season. But the tree is being retired, and Duquesne Light is offering as much as $15,000 in prizes for as many five people to design a suitable replacement for its longstanding display.

The company is launching a crowdsourcing competition on Feb. 3 for a new lighting design concept. Duquesne Light wants to award a construction contract and have the display installed for the 2022 holiday season.

Duquesne Light "is committed to helping the city of Pittsburgh celebrate the holidays through a new and more modern light display, while honoring the richness of our city’s beloved traditions,” said Christine Waller, the company's vice president of communications; environmental, social and governance; and corporate giving.

“With the public’s help, we hope to replace the current display with something that will uphold the tradition our region has come to love over the years.”

The display traditionally is the city’s first major tree to be lit before Thanksgiving and continues shining for more than a month, often being taken down in early January after Eastern Orthodox Christmas. It debuted in 1988.

Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that operates Point State Park, said the department sees the competition as a great opportunity to build a new tradition at the park with public input.

“We are excited to see new designs to help celebrate the holidays and remind people of the importance of the holidays in Pittsburgh, the same way the tree did for more than 30 years,” she said.

To enter the competition, click on the link.

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