The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS, Va. (VR) – The famous holiday decorations in The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa will get their centerpiece Monday morning at 11 a.m. when a 23-foot Christmas tree arrives for the resort’s Great Hall. The tree’s arrival is an event in itself, as its massive bulk has to be brought into the building through a standard size door. Some families have made a tradition of coming every year just to watch.
“This is a day I always look forward to,” said Mark Spadoni, Managing Director of The Omni Homestead. “The staff all come together to grab a rope and help pull in the tree, cheered on by our guests. It’s always a lot of fun.”
The giant Fraser fir was selected by Tyler Minamyer, The Omni Homestead‘s Director of Agronomy, who traveled to the North Carolina farm of Luke Henderson to choose just the right tree. Henderson scouted several trees for the resort before the selection trip, searching for that rare, perfect tree. As Henderson explains it, a tree of that size requires around 30 years to grow to sufficient height. “There’s a lot in the maintenance every year,” he said. “We try to make sure that we’ve got two or three different selections for the great big tree, you know 23 or 24-foot, and they’re getting a little bit difficult to find.” Henderson has provided The Omni Homestead with trees for 15 years.
Two other trees were also selected: a 20-foot fir to stand just outside on the Grand Staircase and an 18-foot tree for the Grand Ballroom. A number of smaller, natural trees will also come to the resort as part of the decorations. The extensive decorations throughout the resort are a popular tradition enjoyed by guests during the holiday season year after year.
The arrival of the tree marks the beginning of the holiday season at The Omni Homestead. Once decorated, its many lights will be turned on Wednesday evening at an always well-attended ceremony, including a visit from Santa to get those last-minute requests on his list. Then on Thursday the resort will host its popular Thanksgiving buffet for over one-thousand guests. There are special activities all through the month of December, culminating with Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
About The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa
Welcoming travelers since 1766, The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa is one of America’s most storied resorts, offering unparalleled hospitality and southern charm in a 2,300-acre setting within the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia. The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa is distinguished by 483 luxurious guest rooms and suites, 72,000 square feet of meeting space, an array of fine and casual dining choices, and more than 30 recreational amenities. The resort, which was honored as one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places in 2024, offers an expansive, luxurious spa with an exclusive, adults-only Serenity Garden, two championship golf courses and family-friendly. The Homestead became part of Omni Hotels & Resorts on July 1, 2013.
