Overview
- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw arrived at Navy Pier carrying 1,200 Christmas trees transported from Michigan.
- Offloading was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. with a 10 a.m. dedication ceremony that featured holiday festivities and ship tours.
- Ada S. McKinley Community Services organized loading the trees into trucks for delivery to partner nonprofits across the city.
- U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attended the event and helped unload trees as a small group of protesters gathered nearby.
- A Chicago Fire Department helicopter dropped a ceremonial wreath on Lake Michigan to honor the 1912 sinking of the Rouse Simmons.