From a press release:
Christmas at Biltmore launches with annual tree raising, Nov. 5
On Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m., Santa Claus will escort a horse-drawn carriage delivering Biltmore’s holiday centerpiece, a 35-foot Fraser fir, to the front door of Biltmore House to kick off Christmas at Biltmore. The tree will spend the holidays in the 72-foot-high Banquet Hall, adorned with lights, gifts and ornaments.
Biltmore’s annual tree raising sets the stage for Christmas at Biltmore, Nov. 7, 2014, through Jan. 11, 2015.
WHAT: Annual Christmas Tree-Raising at Biltmore House
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov.5, 10 a.m.
• Roving carolers and Mrs. Claus will greet guests in front of Biltmore House.
• The 35-foot Fraser fir tree will be brought up to the front of the house on a horse-drawn wagon with Santa at the reins.
• The tree will then be brought into the Banquet Hall of Biltmore House by hand. Between 30 and 40 employees lift and carry it through the front door in a synchronized manner.
• Employees hoist the tree into place using ropes and pulleys to secure it into position.
• Members of the floral and engineering services teams work quickly to decorate the massive tree with more than 500 large ornaments, hundreds of lights and many gift-wrapped packages.
• Santa and Mrs. Claus will remain on the Front Lawn for photo opportunities until noon.
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