The tree arrived this morning in Olympia, just like it has every year since 1989 when the AWB Holiday Kids' Tree Project began.
Only this year, there was a twist: The arrival was tweeted.
TVW's Anita Kissee and KING 5's Tom Tedford were both on hand for the arrival, and in a nod to the 21st century social media world in which we now live, they both snapped pictures of the event and sent them to their followers on Twitter. And of course, AWB had to get in on the fun, as well.
Once the tree was inside the Capitol Rotunda, workers spent the rest of the day decorating it in preparation for Friday's lighting ceremony, set to begin at 6 p.m.
Just before the lighting, Gov. Chris Gregoire will join with AWB in presenting donated money to representatives from 14 rural fire departments in seven counties.
The fire officials will use it to buy food, clothing and gifts for families in need in their communities.
We hope you can join us Friday for the lighting ceremony.
More information about this year's event is available in our media advisory, and a timeline history of the event is available below.
Donations may be made online. Donations received after Dec. 7 will count toward the 2013 Holiday Kids' Tree Project.