ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Thursday may be Halloween but it's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina.
A horse-drawn carriage delivered a massive Christmas tree to the famous tourist destination in the north carolina mountains on Wednesday. About 40 people then helped carry the 35-foot frasier fir inside to the Grand Banquet Hall, where it will become a centerpiece to the estate's holiday celebration.
They then used a system of ropes to carefully lift the tree into place.
This year's tree raising feels more special in light of the devastation Helene brought to the region about a month ago.
The Biltmore Estates was temporarily closed on due to storm damage. Parts of the grounds, including trails and the main entrance, are still under repair from flooding and downed trees.
For the first time since the storm, the Biltmore Estates is set to reopen to the public on Nov. 2.