(November 17, 2006)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl officially kicked off the City of Pittsburgh's holiday festivities by lighting the holiday tree on the Portico of the City-County Building on Friday, November 17, 2006.

Students from local public, private and parochial schools submitted ornaments for the holiday tree. Those who attended the tree lighting ceremony were entertained by the Point Park University Singers and enjoyed coffee, hot chocolate and cookies compliments of Starbucks and Giant Eagle. The crowd also had a chance to meet and greet characters from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's performance of "The Nutcracker" and the City's recycling mascots.