Schedule for Capitol Christmas Tree tour announced

https://landline.media/capitol-christmas-tree-tour-schedule-begins-next-month/

Hardy Bros. Trucking has been selected to haul the famed Capitol Christmas Tree in a tour that begins November 5 in Fletcher, North Carolina.

The tree, a 78-foot red spruce, will be hauled by Harold “Ed” Kingdon, Jr. and Deborah Z. Kingdon, a husband-and-wife team, according to Land Line.

“It’s a great honor and a privilege – it’s the people’s tree,” Ed shared. “It’s all about representing and bringing people together. It gives you goosebumps to think that we’re doing something of that caliber.”

According to the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s website, the tradition, sometimes referred to as “The People’s Tree,” began in 1964 when Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John W. McCormack placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. In 1970, the Capitol Architect requested a Christmas tree from the U.S. Forest Service, and it was decided that a different national forest would provide “The People’s Tree” each year. The 2022 tree was harvested from Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.

“Now, I’m really excited about it, especially after reading about the history of this program,” Deborah told Land Line.

After 15 stops throughout North Carolina and Virginia, the tree will be delivered to the U.S. Capitol for a lighting ceremony on November 30.

“This annual journey is only possible with the help of strong community partnerships throughout North Carolina and beyond state lines,” said Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors. “We’re grateful for the time and resources provided by Kenworth and Hardy Bros. Trucking. We look forward to a great tour.”

The full 2022 Capitol Christmas Tree schedule is listed below.

• 5: Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Fletcher, N.C.
• 6: Cherokee County Courthouse, Murphy, N.C.
• 6: Oconaluftee Island Park Event Site, Cherokee, N.C.
• 7: Pisgah Forest Ranger Station and Visitor Center, Pisgah Forest, N.C.
• 7: Marion Main Street, Marion, N.C.
• 8: Avery County Cooperative Extension Center, Newland, N.C.
• 8: Watauga High School, Boone, N.C.
• 8: Downtown Newton, Newton, N.C.
• 9: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Mount Airy, N.C.
• 9: Troy Town Hall, Troy, N.C.
• 10: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, N.C.
• 11: North Carolina Veteran’s Home, Kinston, N.C.
• 12: Union Point Park, New Bern, N.C.
• 13: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo, N.C.
• 14: Suffolk Visitors Center, Suffolk, Va.
• 18: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
• 30: Tree Lighting Ceremony, Washington, D.C.