The Tongass and Chugach National Forests, nonprofit partner Society of American Foresters and presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, have announced the 11 locations of the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Whistlestop Tour, starting in Ketchikan, Alaska.
The tree’s 4,000-mile journey from Wrangell, Alaska, to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building will kick off on Oct. 30. Over three weeks, the tour will travel to the “Lower 48” by sea and then by truck from the Pacific coast to Washington, D.C.
The Sitka spruce from the Wrangell Ranger District on the Tongass National Forest has been selected as the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. It will be harvested later this month, and secured on a custom 82-foot trailer to be transported across the country.
At each stop along the way, people will have the opportunity to sign the side of the uniquely Alaskan trailer with markers, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree souvenirs from Alaska Geographic, get free stickers and pins, and learn about Alaska’s national forests and the 54-year tradition of the USDA Forest Service providing the “Peoples Tree.”
The tour’s eleven whistlestops before the tree is delivered to Washington, D.C. are:
Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Ketchikan, Alaska
Alaska Marine Highway Terminal (3501 Tongass Ave.) Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 8 – Baker City, Oregon
Baker County Fairgrounds & Event Center -Rodeo Grounds (2600 E. St.) Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 9 – Pocatello, Idaho
The Pocatello Veterans Day Parade (700 E. Lewis St.) Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 9 – Murray, Utah
Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation’s Wheeler Historic Farm(6351 S 900 E) Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 10 – Grand Junction, Colorado
Cabela’s (2424 US-6) Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 11 – Loveland, Colorado
The Ranch Events Complex (5280 Arena Cir.) Time: To be announced
Wednesday, Nov. 13 – Omaha, Nebraska
Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront (345 Riverfront Dr.) Time: To be announced
Saturday, Nov. 16 – Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parkview Field (1301 Ewing St.) Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 17 – Columbus, Ohio
Center of Science and Industry (333 W. Broad St.) Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19 – Hagerstown, Maryland
The Maryland Theater (21 S. Potomac St.) Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21 – Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Andrews Theater (1674 D St.) Time: To be determined
Tour dates and locations are subject to change. For more information on the Whistlestop Tour events, visit: www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar
The tree’s journey is possible with the support of presenting sponsor 84 Lumber along with Kenworth Truck Company, Lynden Transport, Hale Truck and Trailer, SEALONCE, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Geographic, KTUU, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Ironwood Forestry, Truckload Carriers Association, TreeSwift, T3, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc., Verizon Frontline and others.
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