We agree that it’s a bit early to be thinking about Christmas trees, but when you’ve got an 88-foot Engelmann spruce to send on a 5,000-mile road trip, you do some planning ahead. This year’s Capitol Christmas Tree hails from our state, and on Fri., Nov. 8, you’ll have the chance to see and celebrate it as it makes a stop in Everett en route to Washington, D.C.
Come by the Snohomish County Campus Amphitheater at Rockefeller Avenue and Wall Street in Everett from 10 a.m. to noon to see the freshly cut tree, which will be inside a trailer with special viewing windows. You’ll learn how it was cut down (hint: with a crane!) and other interesting facts about what it takes to transport and set up an enormous Christmas tree.
At the event, you’ll hear live music from the Everett Chorale, the Snohomish County Children’s Choir and local singer-songwriter Jenny Vick. Nibble a gingerbread cookie as you visit with Santa and Smokey the Bear. Kids can find out how to become pen pals with their peers who live in other communities where the tree will stop, plus they can take part in fun activities with Imagine Children’s Museum.
Selecting the Capitol Christmas Tree is a big deal, and the process began many months ago. Surprisingly, this is only the second time that the Capitol Christmas Tree was selected from Washington since the tradition began in 1964.
This year’s tree comes from the Colville National Forest in the northeast corner of our state. A lucky first-grader from Hofstetter School in Colville will help light the tree, and all Washingtonians are invited to supply specially crafted ornaments for the tree and its smaller companion trees. You can learn more about how to submit an ornament here.
And in these times of budget cuts, you’ll be glad to know that the tree, the truck, the gas and the driver’s time are all donated, and sponsors contribute toward much of the other costs associated with bringing the Capitol Christmas Tree to fruition.
Check out the official website of the Capitol Christmas Tree to read more about this nearly 50-year tradition and track the tree on its journey across the country.
