The grounds of the South Carolina State House each November become a dazzling scene of holiday enchantment. As if Christmas elves have paid a visit, up comes a stunning 35-foot Christmas tree, colorful lights cover it, and beautiful ornaments appear — all for the citizens of South Carolina and visitors to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Christmas elves who bring the tree to its State House home and decorate it each year are actually members of the Columbia Garden Club and the Garden Club of South Carolina. A newcomer to the relationship, GCSC joined in to help raise funds for the project sponsored for many years by the Columbia group. “This is the second year we have gotten the tree from Henderson Farms in Morgantown, N.C.,” says Melissa Prickett of the Columbia Garden Club. The tree is a 35-foot-tall Norway spruce. Why not from South Carolina? The climate is not generally cold enough to grow the type and size of large, freshly cut tree for the job.

Once the tree has been installed with a crane, the garden club members bring the ornaments out from storage; unpack, repair, and replace them as needed; and then prepare to hang them on the tree. Meanwhile, the jolly good linemen of Dominion Energy South Carolina use their bucket trucks to hang the lights. Then brave garden club members climb in the buckets one at a time and hang the ornaments as they direct the linemen where they go.

The installation of the tree and lights culminates with the annual Governor’s Carolighting Ceremony. The Sunday evening event features local musicians, dignitaries, choirs, members of the clergy, and the governor delivering his special Christmas message. At the ceremony’s conclusion, Gov. and Mrs. Henry McMaster officially light the tree for all to enjoy, whether they are watching from a television audience or enjoying the sights, sounds, and aromas of the live experience.