The World’s Tallest Glass Tree to Grow Even Taller at Yerkes Observatory

LAKE GENEVA, WI (November 12, 2024) – Producer Rob Elliott and glass artist Jason Mack will again build the World’s Tallest Glass Tree at the Historic Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Serving as a one-of-kind holiday spectacle for a third straight year, the giant tree will stand 36 feet, nearly ten feet taller than the next tallest glass tree in Murano, Italy, which stands at 28 feet. More than 20,000 visitors from Wisconsin, Illinois, and afar are expected to attend and help to create the giant glass spectacle.

The World’s Tallest Glass Tree is a community-made art installation constructed from recycled glass bottles collected from the surrounding area. The bottles are crushed and melted in a mobile glass furnace to the consistency of honey and wrapped around a spinning steel tree-shaped structure. Starting on December 6, visitors can actively participate in building the tree by helping to place melted glass on the twirling frame. On the final night, a hand-blown glass star is added atop the tree during the ceremonial star-topping.

During the event, attendees can participate in live glass-blowing and woodworking demos, steel sculpting, and shop for handmade wares and art at the Winter Market. Plenty of holiday drinks and treats will be available to ensure visitors of every age make lifelong memories. Proceeds will go toward science and arts programming for the community at Yerkes Observatory.

Watch The World’s Tallest Glass Tree mini-doc here.

“Our goal is to continue to inspire and work with the community, to teach people about recycling and the many uses and things you can do with glass. We endeavor to offer a fully sustainable event,” said producer Rob Elliott. “Everywhere you turn, there’s something to watch, something cool that somebody made, or just a spot to sit and enjoy the magical atmosphere.”

Last year, the World’s Largest Glass Tree had over 16,000 attendees. In the coming years, there is hope to expand the holiday attraction into an even more extensive, immersive art experience—an entire glass forest made from the community’s upcycled glass to serve as a gathering space for locals and an arts attraction for travelers from afar.

This year’s excitement begins on November 16 when the collection bins are placed throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, and people start donating glass. Last year, over 17 tons of glass were collected for the event, with 3,000 pounds used to create the massive tree and the rest successfully put back into glass recycling production in Walworth County. Because sustainability is at the heart of this unique holiday project, the Glass Recycling Foundation now implements its year-round glass collection from commercial locations throughout Chicago and Southeast Wisconsin.

Event Schedule
Friday, December 6th – Sunday, December 8th
Friday, December 13th – Sunday, December 15th
Fridays 4-7 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays 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.