 The United States federal government shutdown of 1995 and 1996 forced the cancellation of the Pageant of Peace beginning December 16, although the National Park Service had enough funds to keep the tree lit through January 1, 1996.The park service also decided to discontinue the display of live deer during the pageant.In 1996, the Office of Surface Mining declined to donate trees for the Pageant of Peace (as it had done for many years).