Saint Paul – This evening, Governor Tim Pawlenty and First Lady Mary Pawlenty will flip the switch to light up a 35-foot Christmas tree in front of the Governor’s Residence in Saint Paul.

The tree is a balsam fir harvested from the Nemadji State Forest near Nickerson by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, with help from the Minnesota Conservation Corps. The Nemadji State Forest is located 115 miles northeast of St. Paul, along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

The hunt for the Christmas tree begins in early fall when DNR foresters scout for potential candidates in Minnesota’s network of 58 state forests.

In addition, public open houses at the Governor’s Residence begin tomorrow, Tuesday, December 1. Public tours will be available during the first three Tuesdays in December: Tuesday, December 1, Tuesday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 15, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy live music and view beautiful holiday decorations, including the Children’s Christmas tree, which was decorated by fourth-grade children from throughout Minnesota.

The Governor’s Residence is an official collection site for Second Harvest Heartland, the Midwest’s largest food shelf. Open house visitors are encouraged to bring a food donation to the Governor’s Residence.

WHAT: Christmas tree lighting

WHERE: Governor’s Residence, 1006 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul

WHEN: TONIGHT, Monday, November 30, 6:00 p.m.

NOTE: Media planning to attend must RSVP with Christie Calvin at (651) 296-0058 or christie.calvin@state.mn.us by 4:00 p.m. today.