65-foot Christmas tree lights up Manhattan

A 65-foot artificial tree that is touted as the state’s tallest holiday tree is lighting downtown Manhattan.

The Manhattan Mercury reports that the nearly $100,000 artificial tree grew by 15 feet this year for the second Festival of Lights. It features lights that change according to the rhythm of holiday music that can be heard over the radio. There’s a 6-foot star at the top.

Hundreds of people gathered Friday night for a lighting ceremony that included a visit from Santa.

The tree is located in the Blue Earth Plaza near the city’s mall, downtown shopping area and museum that tells the story of the tallgrass prairie.