Date:  September 25, 2007 (updated)

CONTACT:  Mary Riherd Broomfield, Marketing and Public Relations Director
                (626) 445-7771, ext. 313, mbroomfield@gsmwvc.org


Mt. Wilson Vista Council to Represent
State in 2007 Pageant of Peace
Troops create hand-made ornaments celebrating
95 years of Girl Scouting

Girl Scouts - Mt. Wilson Vista Council has accepted the opportunity to represent the State of California in the 2007 Pageant of Peace held in Washington, D.C. during the holiday season.

Troops who have signed up to participate are creating one official ornament for the display and nine replicas for use in local promotion projects. Ornaments are due to the council the first week of November. The theme for the display is 95 Years of Girl Scouting.

As of the week of Sept. 24, 2007, all ornament kits have been assigned to troops. For more information, contact Deanne Aranda, Program Manager, at (626) 445-7771, ext. 337 or daranda@gsmwvc.org.

About the Pageant of Peace
Beginning in 1954, local civic and business groups decorated live trees that represent the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia that formed a "Pageant of Peace" to the National Christmas Tree in the Ellipse near the White House. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree - an annual event of national character - begins a Winter Festival during which over 250,000 visitors pass through the the Ellipse and enjoy festival events.

Children have often been involved in the tree lighting events and Girl Scouts have delivered greetings to several Presidents and First Ladies throughout the years of this national tradition. For more information about the Pageant of Peace, click here.

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