Minnesota Ornament Hangs On White House Tree
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- About 20,000 people gathered last year to see President Obama flip the switch on the National Christmas tree and Thursday, thousands more will turn out for this year's lighting.
Minnesota will have its own ornament in the shape of a 3-dimensional tree, inside a globe, featuring scenes from a Minnesota winter.
Some of the artwork is from professionals, but some of it is from young actors who can usually be seen on the stage of the Children's Theatre Company.
"I drew some footie pajamas because we get footie pajamas every year for Christmas," said Selena Morgan, 16, from Woodbury.
"I drew a Christmas tree, part snowing and part sunny, because of crazy weather we get in Minnesota," added Andrew Moy, 11, from Brooklyn Center.
They were invited to take part, by KNOCK, a Minneapolis branding, advertising and design agency. It was commissioned to create this year's ornament.
"Their patterns were combined with our designed patterns that we did, also kind of representing the holidays," said Todd Paulson, KNOCK's chief creative officer.
The finished ornament includes images of mittens, shovels, snowmen, and even the iconic spoon and cherry from the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis.
"It's just a great experience to be able to design something that's going to be in the White House," said Brandon Brooks, 13, from Maple Grove.
One ornament will go in the White House visitor center, while 25 others will go on trees in the Ellipse. Paulson and his business partner, Lili Hall, will be in Washington to see the ornament on display.
WCCO-TV's Mike Binkley Reports
