COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho -- The world’s tallest living Christmas tree, standing 161 feet and decorated with more than 30,000 lights, will be unveiled during Thanksgiving weekend’s premier of the Holiday Light Show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

The Grand Fir (abies grandis) overlooks Lake Coeur d’Alene from the shoreline home of Duane Hagadone, the owner of the award-winning Resort in Northern Idaho that this year celebrated its 20th anniversary. To put the size of the Christmas tree in perspective, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City is approximately 75 feet tall, less than half the size of the Coeur d’Alene giant. Atop the tree will be a lighted 10-foot-tall star.

“We wanted to do something extraordinary this year,” said Jerry Jaeger, president and co-owner of The Coeur d’Alene Resort. “Lighting this magnificent tree for the holidays seemed like the perfect way to wrap up our 20th year.”

The Coeur d’Alene Christmas tree, the largest of its kind on record, is green in more ways than one: It will be decorated with LED lights, which use 90 percent less energy than conventional light bulbs. The bulbs will use the same amount of power as 21 average household light bulbs.

The largest on-water Holiday light show in America, the Holiday Light Show has become a popular Northwest holiday destination since it was founded in 1996. The tree is easily the “biggest” addition to the annual celebration that features a parade, fireworks, sleigh rides, special shows and decorative lighting around the town of Coeur d’Alene throughout the holidays. An estimated 1.5 million lights are on display throughout the holiday season. (See accompanying schedule of events.)

More than 250 dazzling displays, ranging from the whimsical to the fantastic and depicting the Holidays, Northwest lifestyles and childhood themes. Displays are custom-built for the Holiday Light Show by Lights for All Seasons of Portland, Ore. A mainstay of the show is the Victorian Village, a 30-foot tall structure with featuring stained glass windows, a running creek, an animated water wheel, two chimneys with animated smoke and more than 5,000 lights.

The tree will be showcased during lighted tours on the lake, where each cruise is specially choreographed to make stops at designated display areas, which are sure to entertain everyone in the family. The Hagadone home sparkles as it is transformed into a North Pole setting, as it displays more than one million lights, nightly “snow showers” and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

To celebrate the addition of the lighted living tree, The Resort is ringing in the festive season with its Family Holiday Package, available Nov. 23, which includes:

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Two nights (minimum stay) in your choice of luxury accommodations in The Resort’s lakeside tower
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Two adult cruise tickets to the “North Pole” holiday lights exhibit
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Breakfast for two in the Dockside Restaurant

A special Thanksgiving Package (for those arriving Thursday, Nov. 23) includes the Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet for two in Dockside, or (for those arriving Friday, Nov. 24) Sunday Brunch for two in Dockside.

All Family Packages start at $429 and are available through the New Year’s Eve celebration.

So get ready to climb aboard the Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruise Boats to see the world’s tallest living Christmas tree and the over-the-water fireworks show. Or relax during festivities while watching from the window of a Lake View room, as well as the front-row viewing from The Resort’s exceptional restaurants.

Guests and their families also can enjoy the completely new $10 million Spa Coeur d’Alene, as well as The Resort’s distinctive dining options (and one of the finest wine collections in the Pacific Northwest) and a Very Important Kids program that features age-specific games and activities. And since Northern Idaho is one of the greatest outdoor playgrounds in the world, Rocky Mountain powder is less than an hour away from The Resort -- at the Silver Mountain and Schweitzer Mountain ski areas.

Perfect for business and pleasure, The Coeur d’Alene Resort is a destination of choice for discerning travelers worldwide. Combining luxury with endless recreational opportunities, it serves as an ideal locale for conventions and wedding celebrations alike.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Schedule of Events
Tickets: 208-644-7268 and 877-765-4653

Friday, Nov. 24:
15th Annual Downtown Holiday Light Show Parade
The parade begins at the corner of 8th Street and Sherman Avenue, proceeding west on Sherman to Lakeside Avenue, and Northwest Boulevard.

“Journey to the North Pole Cruises”
Visit Mr. & Mrs. Claus on the far shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene where at “The North Pole” a magical toyland will suddenly appear out of the darkness.

Holiday Light Show, 5-9pm
More than a million lights sparkle across Lake Coeur d’Alene at the largest on the water resort holiday light show in America.

Nov. 25-Jan. 1:
“Journey to the North Pole Cruises”
Holiday Light Show

Dec. 2- 23
Babes in Toyland presented by the Lake City Playhouse
A Christmas musical to remember with all of its wonderful characters - Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Tom Tom the Piper's Son, Jack and Jill, Little Miss Muffet, and others. Suitable for children, and will include children in the cast.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Danielle Ryba
The Coeur d’Alene Resort
(208) 667-7275
dryba@blue541.com

Ed Vyeda
Hunter Public Relations
(831) 375-1747
evyeda@hunter-pr.com