By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, November 8th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY, Ore. (Oct. 23, 2024) — Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. Alaska’s National Forests, in partnership with Society of American Foresters and presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, will bring the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from Alaska to Washington, D.C., including a special appearance in Baker City on November 8th at Baker County Fairgrounds (2600 East Street). Our event in Baker is being hosted in partnership with the OSU Extension Office and will have participation from local businesses.
The Sitka spruce tree will be harvested from the Tongass National Forest in late October. Its journey will include a series of community celebrations before it is delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 22, where it will be decorated with handmade ornaments specially created by Alaskans.
Festivities during the tree’s visit to Baker City on November 8th will include Christmas tree ornament and bracelet making, a visit from Santa Claus, trivia table, and our local vendor, York’s will be selling tree tags at their store location located at 1549 Campbell St. Prior to the event, we are facilitating a Capitol Christmas Tree coloring competition for our elementary school students. Winners of the competition will be announced at the event. Our event is free and open to the public.
“We were extremely excited to learn the Capitol Christmas Tree would be stopping in Baker City,” said Shaun McKinney, Wallowa-Whitman Forest Supervisor “We are happy to showcase our wonderful town and have an opportunity to host an event in partnership with our community.”
The tree’s journey is possible with the generous support of presenting sponsor 84 Lumber along with Kenworth Truck Company, Lynden Transport, Hale Truck and Trailer, SEALONCE, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Geographic, KTUU, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Ironwood Forestry, Truckload Carriers Association, TreeSwift, T3, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc., Verizon Frontline and more.
The top priority is the safety of tour staff, event attendees, and the tree. The public asked to be aware of the large truck’s substantial blind spots, wide turns, and longer stopping distances on our roads as they welcome the tree to their communities.