One of the Largest and Most Dazzling Christmas Tree Displays

Gaylord Opryland’s NEW Hall of Trees brings prizes to visitors and cash to charities

Nashville, Tenn.—( September 17, 2007 ) Some of the most spectacularly decorated Christmas trees of the season will be on display and ready to delight at Gaylord Opryland®'s new Hall of Trees, which opens November 21, 2007. The hall of 30 lavishly decorated and lighted trees is not just about the beautiful scenery of the season; it is centered on a community charity effort. Plus, lucky bidders will get to take the trees and some valuable prizes home for the holidays after visiting the attraction, which is part of Gaylord Opryland's world-famous A Country Christmas® celebration.

Here's how it works: Each tree will be sponsored by a business and will be tied to the charity chosen by that sponsor. The trees will feature beautiful decorations, but also major prizes, ranging from $500 to $2,000 in value. The prizes will be donated by the sponsors and will include items such as electronics, dinner coupons, tickets and trips.

Those charities will receive the proceeds raised from visitors who can vote on their favorite trees by making voluntary contributions at that tree's location. Plus, each tree, along with its prizes, will be auctioned off to benefit the charities during the Hall of Trees Cocktail Auction, which will be open to the public on up until the show closes on December 22, 2007.
“The trees will be gorgeous, and the prizes on the trees will make even Scrooge feel like bidding at the Hall of Trees Auction. This attraction is a fun new way for Gaylord Opryland to entertain and to give back to the community at the same time,” said Ken Groneck, director of special events and entertainment at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

The trees will remain on display for “voting” until December 22, which is when they will be delivered to the winning bidder from the auction. There will be a $4 child and $6 adult admission to visit the Hall of Trees. Sponsor's employees will receive admission discount. Some of the sponsors already registered include Waddell and Reed, Southwest Airlines, Humana, O'Charley's, Nashville Super Speedway and Musicians On Call. There are still a few trees left to be sponsored. Call Kara Ryan at (615) 458-2897 to sponsor a tree.

Fun Christmas Tree Facts:

  • Some have traced the Christmas tree back at least as far as the Prophet Jeremiah who wrote the book Jeremiah in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).
  • St. Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree, and a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith.
  • Some historians say the first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.
  • The Vikings considered the evergreen a symbol and reminder that the darkness and cold of winter would end and the green of spring would return
  • The English Royalty helped popularize the tree in England by decorating the first Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1841.
  • Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
  • The best-selling trees are Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Virginia Pine, Balsam Fir and White Pine.
  • The first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States was started in 1851 in New York.
  • In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
  • Recycled trees have been used to make sand and soil erosion barriers and been placed in ponds for fish shelter.
  • Vacation packages for all of the A Country Christmasevents are on sale now. To purchase packages, make reservations or get information about any events please visit
  • www.gaylordopryland.com or call 1-888-999-OPRY (6779).

ABOUT “A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS”
Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas® presented by Nissan is proud to present ICE!™ presented by Coca-Cola®, featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. This is the Only SHOW like it in the USA! From the Grinch's frozen mountain top lair, to the interactive slides and surprises, this life-sized story told in ice will make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular® presented by Allstate® Insurance Company, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® is back with dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and favorite scenes, such as the “Living Nativity” and the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” There's The Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party™, Christmas on the Cumberland aboard the General Jackson® Showboat, Treasures For The Holidays Craft Show; Santa's E-mail; Carriage Rides; Photos with Santa; Brightest Star Fountain Show; Hall of Trees and nearly two million Christmas lights. It's everything Christmas and all at Gaylord Opryland®.

ABOUT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com or by contacting the corporate media line at 615-725-5631.

Media Relations Contacts:
Ann Dee McClane, (615) 458-2896, amcclane@gaylordhotels.com
Kim Keelor, (615) 458-2877, kkeelor@gaylordhotels.com
Jeff Zimmer, (615) 458-2873, jzimmer@gaylordhotels.com
Rob Regg, (615) 458-2882, rregg@gaylordhotels.com

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