The World’s Tallest Glass Tree, Halfway Completed, Prepares for Big Final Weekend

LAKE GENEVA, WI (December 10, 2024) – Every year artist Jason Mack and producer Rob Elliott perform a feat: building the World’s Tallest Glass Tree at the Historic Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. More than 20,000 visitors from Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond will witness the giant tree that reaches 36 feet into the sky. New for this year, the tree will be crafted from 3,000 pounds of recycled blue glass instead of the green of every previous installment. This weekend, visitors of any age can participate by taking a rod of 2,000-degree liquid glass and letting it drip onto the perpetually spinning tree.

Attendees of every age will make lifelong memories at this multifaceted event which offers activities such as glass-blowing, woodworking, and steel sculpting demos, workshops for making ornaments and beads, and a Winter Market full of handmade art and wares. Though the event is largely outdoors, visitors can keep warm in the cozy heated tent while enjoying food and limited-edition holiday coffee or beer. Tours of the Yerkes Observatory that cover its scientific significance (even Albert Einstein loved to research there), architectural features, and historical importance are available. On Sunday, December 15, a celebration is held on the final night while a hand-blown glass star is added atop the tree.

In addition to spreading holiday cheer and serving as a fundraiser for future arts and science programming at Yerkes Observatory, the World’s Tallest Glass Tree has a big sustainability mission. The giant collaborative art installation is constructed from empty bottles donated by the surrounding communities to develop better glass recycling infrastructure and awareness. Because it isn’t profitable, the majority of glass in the United States is thrown away despite the fact it will last millions of years and can be easily melted down and reused.

“A glass bottle can be remade a million times over and live hundreds of lives without losing durability,” said World’s Tallest Glass Tree producer, Rob Elliott. “In so many ways the tree itself represents the circle of life—what was originally sand became a glass bottle, then a sculpture built by everyone from ages 3 to 93. Next, it will get crushed down and melted into ornaments and perhaps more things after that.”

In 2023 over 17 tons of glass were collected for the event and successfully put back into glass recycling production. Because of this project enthusiasm for glass recycling participation continues to build. Due to the new demand, The Glass Recycling Foundation, Glass Packaging Institute,  and Strategic Materials Incorporated are working closely with producer Rob Elliott to implement year-round glass collections throughout Northern Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin.

Final Weekend Event Schedule
Friday, December 13th, 4-7 p.m.
Saturday, December 14th, 12-7 p.m.
Sunday, December 15th, 12-7 p.m.

A special closing Star Topping celebration will occur on the 15th
Parking is at Williams Bay High School, where a heated trolley ride will take you to Yerkes Observatory. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or on-site once you get off the trolley. General entry is $5, but children 9 and under may enter for free.

For tickets, more info, or to make a tax-deductible donation to the event, please visit www.worldstallestglasstree.com

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.