For just the second time in 50 years, Oregon has been selected to provide the Capitol Christmas Tree – affectionately known as “The People’s Tree” – for the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Traveling more than 3,000 miles east from the Willamette National Forest to Washington, D.C., The People’s Tree will stop in Bend’s Old Mill District on Monday, November 12.
Come celebrate this majestic noble fir that will represent Oregon in the nation’s capitol throughout the holiday season. Father Christmas will fly in via helicopter for this special occasion. Arts and crafts stations, ornament-making booths, hot chocolate, cider, cookies and other family-friendly activities will be on hand during this special event.
The theme for the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is “Find Your Trail!” in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the of the National Trails System Act and the 175th commemoration of the Oregon Trail. The Capitol Tree will traverse the Oregon Trail in reverse, stopping at communities along the way to D.C., where there will be an official tree lighting in early December. Smaller companion trees also will be provided to decorate offices inside the U.S. Capitol building and other sites throughout Washington, D.C., along with 10,000 handmade ornaments created by Oregonian youth.
Schedule: 11:00am – Father Christmas arrives via AirLink Helicopter, Smokey Bear arrives via USFS Fire Truck.
1:00pm – People’s Tree Send off to the next Whistle Stop in Detroit, Oregon.
November 12, 2018
11:00 AM - 01:00 PM