Capitol Christmas Tree set to begin journey to D.C. this week

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The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will follow a reverse path of the Oregon Trail to commemorate its 175th anniversary.

The 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be hauled this year by Central Oregon Truck Company, will begin its cross-country journey this week, stopping in more than 20 communities along the way before it reaches the U.S. Capitol.

The tree will be cut from the Sweet Home Ranger District in the Willamette National Forest Friday, Nov. 2, and prepared to begin the more than 3,000-mile trip from Oregon’s Willamette National Forest to D.C. The tour this year will commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail by following a reverse path of the trail.

The journey will culminate with the official tree lighting on the West Lawn in early December.

The tree will be hauled on a new Kenworth W990 with the tour beginning Nov. 9, in Sweet Home, Oregon.

Tour stops include:

  • Friday, Nov. 9: Sweet Home, Oregon
  • Saturday, Nov. 10: Albany, Oregon
  • Saturday, Nov. 10: Springfield, Oregon
  • Sunday, Nov. 11: McKenzie Bridge, Oregon
  • Sunday, Nov. 11: Oakridge, Oregon
  • Monday, Nov. 12: Bend, Oregon
  • Monday, Nov. 12: Detroit, Oregon
  • Tuesday, Nov. 13: Salem, Oregon
  • Tuesday, Nov. 13: Oregon City, Oregon
  • Wednesday, Nov. 14: The Dalles, Oregon
  • Wednesday, Nov. 14: Baker City, Oregon
  • Friday, Nov. 16: Pocatello, Idaho
  • Saturday, Nov. 17: Fort Bridger, Wyoming
  • Sunday, Nov. 18: Laramie, Wyoming
  • Sunday, Nov. 18: Scottsbluff, Nebraska
  • Monday, Nov. 19: Nebraska City, Nebraska
  • Tuesday, Nov. 20: Perry, Kansas
  • Tuesday, Nov. 20: Kansas City, Missouri
  • Wednesday, Nov. 21: Independence, Missouri
  • Thursday, Nov. 22: St. Louis, Missouri
  • Friday, Nov. 23: Harrison, Ohio
  • Sunday, Nov. 25: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland