2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ticket Lottery NOW OPEN

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

    What:  The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation
           announced today that the lottery for free tickets to the annual
           National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is now open.  Visit
           www.thenationaltree.org by 11:59 pm (EST) November 6th to enter.
           The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on
           Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C.

           The lottery at www.thenationaltree.org will include 2,800 ticketed
           seats and 7,000 standing room tickets.   Additionally, any ticket
           seeker without access to a computer may also call ((877) 444-6777
           or for TDD (877) 833-6777).

           Once the lottery is completed, the ticket lottery winners who
           submitted their request via computer will be notified via email.
           Successful ticket winners who applied by calling the above-listed
           number will receive a notice sent via U.S. Mail.  All applicants
           can check the status of their request online or through the call
           center after the lottery beginning on November 9, 2009.

           Please be advised that tickets are required for every attendee,
           including all children.

    When:  The National Christmas Tree Lighting ticket lottery is open from
           Wednesday, November 4th through 11:59 pm (EST) Friday, November
           6th.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO)

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System and its 392 National Park sites for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the American people and their 392 national park sites. As the official national non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program support of $27.3M.

For more information, visit: www.nps.gov or www.nationalparks.org.

    Contact:                         Contact:
    National Park Service            National Park Foundation
    Bill Line, Toni Braxton          Mark Shields
    (202) 619-7400                   (202) 354-6480
    William_Line@nps.gov             Mshields@nationalparks.org