WASHINGTON — The Capitol Christmas Tree is arriving at the U.S. Capitol after making its way from a forest in northeast Washington state.
Once the tree is in place on the Capitol’s west lawn Monday, organizers say it will be decorated with more than 5,000 handmade ornaments from children across the country. A tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.
The tree made stops in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland on its way to the nation’s capital. That 88-foot-tall spruce was cut on Nov. 1 in the Colville National Forest near Newport.
The U.S. Forest Service is in charge of cutting and maintaining the tree. Donations cover the cost of transporting the tree across the country. This year’s lead sponsors included the Truckload Carriers Association, Mack Trucks, the National Association of Convenience Stores and the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.
