That’s right, folks. Christmas and the people who love it are coming straight to the White House tonight with the “Pageant” of “Peace” that will kick off the tree lighting ceremony. Tonight at 5 p.m., President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will flip the switch to light the tree that Hargrove, a Maryland special events company that’s been trimming the trees for decades, spent four weeks decorating. To which we say: Really? Four weeks? That tree on the right? With the enormous ornaments that look like bulbous, candy-colored boils? ….. Hmm. Okay, well. A for effort.

Anyway! There’s more than just the tree tonight. Eartha Kitt and Cathy Rigby will be performing, and if we remember correctly for our days as a youth in D.C., there’s also a yule log, a nativity scene, and, AND, there used to be live reindeer. But I didn’t see them there last year when I traipsed down. What’s up with that?

Sadly, all tickets for tonight’s event have already been distributed, but the tree will be up through the end of the month for your viewing pleasure. Meanwhile, for commuters who pass that way on their route home, note that the ceremony will cause some parking and street closures.

Photo posted to DCist photos by Flickr user Chimpanze Rage