Secretary Wyman hands gifts to children in the State Reception Room prior to the tree-lighting ceremony.

With families and firefighters from across the state in attendance, Secretary of State Wyman led  the 27th annual Holiday Kids’ Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday night.

The event is sponsored by the Association of Washington Business. This year’s theme is “Heroes Near & Far,” honoring Washington firefighters and police. In addition to traditional decorations and 5,000 LED lights, the Holiday Kids’ Tree is decorated with animated heroes.

Two Okanogan County volunteer firefighters and their families had the honor of turning on the lights Friday: Firefighter Lt. Mark Crum and his wife Sara, daughter Macey, age 10, and son Arlen, age 8; and Senior Firefighter Zack Gurney and his son Mason, age 4. (Mason actually pulled the switch on the lights.)

It was a moving ceremony for the Secretary:

“I remember when John and I took our kids to the tree lighting ceremony many years ago. It was fun seeing so many kids and parents there this year, and I enjoyed meeting the Okanogan firefighters and their families who had the honor of turning on the lights! It’s fitting that our state’s firefighters were honored in light of their hard work and bravery in battling wildfires throughout the state last summer.”

This year’s Holiday Tree, a noble fir, stands 33 feet high. It was donated by Black Lake Christmas Trees of Olympia.