Nebraska's Capitol tree-lighting ceremony requires tickets this year

Gov. Jim Pillen’s office is defending the decision to make this year’s ceremony lighting the Capitol Christmas tree a ticketed event.

Pillen’s office announced last week that people who want to attend the ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday would have to have a ticket, which they should contact their state senator to get.

In a Facebook post Monday, Sen. Wendy DeBoer objected, writing, quote “This always public ceremony has been suddenly made private on extremely short notice and Senators have been tasked (without their prior knowledge) with distributing the tickets. The tree lighting should be open to everyone in the people’s house.”

In response, Pillen spokesperson Laura Strimple said Tuesday  “The move to a ticketed event was to ensure it would be safe and secure for the many families and any small children who attend.” She said the first family wanted it to be a special program in the evening, which required scheduling after the Capitol’s regular hours. 

Strimple added that the tree can be viewed by the public throughout the holiday, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.