Share this
by PORT on Nov 29, 2023 10:56:30 AM
Learn how PORT rigged all of the upside-down Christmas trees at The Liberty Hotel in Boston, MA.
November 2023 -
Elegance In Upside-Down Trees
If you’ve experienced the holiday season in Boston, particularly around the iconic Beacon Hill area, chances are you’ve encountered the mesmerizing display of upside-down Christmas trees adorning the lobby of The Liberty Hotel.
The effort to understand gravity and craft an enchanting experience for all has been in full effect for many years. Our PORT team enjoyed being involved with this extraordinary spectacle for the fourth consecutive year.
This year PORT’s own Chris Graichen, Adam Blackstock, Wolf Wallace, and Dan Bourgeois dedicated their efforts to this project including offering rigging or “hanging” services, ensuring that these trees could be suspended upside-down for everyone to admire during the
festive season.
Consistency Is Key
The task of suspending multiple Christmas trees upside-down might seem like a considerable undertaking, particularly within a location such as The Liberty Hotel.
Four years ago, our team spent approximately 4 hours completing this process. Fast forward to today, and we’ve reduced the time to just 1.5 hours. This increase in efficiency can be attributed to our team’s growing understanding of the project and our continuous efforts to streamline the process. With each passing year of working on this project, we’ve had the privilege of becoming more efficient.
Every ornament on these artificial trees is securely fastened to ensure the safety and stability of all elements and decorations on the displays. City Scapes, our partners in this endeavor, decorated and prepared all the trees, having them ready for us to hang upon our arrival.
All Hands On Deck
When asked about logistical challenges while working on this project, the foremost challenge that came to mind was the location.
Because the lobby is a bustling area in a busy hotel, located right near the front desk, our team had to devise a method to seamlessly cordon off the space, prioritizing the safety of both our team and the hotel guests.
This involved temporarily halting escalator operations, using caution tape to cordon off barriers, and ensuring that all entrances to the area were closed. A collaborative effort between our team and hotel staff on the ground was essential. All remained vigilant, ensuring guests were guided in the correct directions while we were at work.
Surprises Along The Way
Suspending these trees follows the same principle as our company’s installation of lights. The trees were hung using quarter-inch steel cables. Throughout the rigging process, all cables are reassessed to guarantee that everything is properly adjusted and capable of securely
supporting the tree.
While at the hotel, our team was in full view of the guests. One interesting aspect of this project is that many guests would actively observe us as we conducted and hoisted the trees! Not only were guests witnessing our work, but Channel 5 News also covered this remarkable project.
-1.jpeg?width=672&height=538&name=20231113_085334%20(1)-1.jpeg)
When questioned about any unforeseen occurrences during the installation, one that stood out was the unexpected presence of glitter, coating everyone involved. This project showcases PORT’s innovative approach, as we have successfully streamlined the process without
causing prolonged closures in the lobby.
Utilizing a multi-point lift, our team can skillfully hoist the trees over walls and escalators. This technique enables us to move the trees seamlessly to various locations in the area, eliminating any swinging, all in one efficient operation.
- Lighting Production Services
- Technical Production Management
- Production Design
- Corporate Production Management
- Theatrical Lighting Design/Specification
- Theatrical Lighting Installation
- Stage Curtain & Rigging Installation
- Rigging Inspections
No Comments Yet
Let us know what you think