Scott Swanson
The 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will come from Sweet Home Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service officials announced Friday, Jan. 19, during a press conference held at Sankey Park.
The tree, which will be selected in time to be transported to Washington D.C. in November, will need to be 65 to 85 feet in height with a conical shape that is visually pleasing from all angles. The tree will come from U.S. Forest Service land in the Sweet Home Ranger District. The public is invited to help look for the tree of choice.
It will be displayed on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., with a public tree-lighting ceremony in early December 2018.
Ten thousand handmade ornaments will adorn the Capitol Christmas Tree and the 70 smaller companion trees, all coming from Oregon. There will be ornament-making events throughout the state this year.
The first will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Boys & Girls Club, 890 18th Ave., Sweet Home.
The theme for the 2018 Capitol Christmas Tree is “Find Your Trail!” in recognition of two 2018 anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, and the 175th commemoration of the Oregon Trail.
For more information, visit the Capitol Christmas Tree website, http://www.capitolchristmastree.com
To get involved send an inquiry via Capitol Christmas Tree email, [email protected].