News Release

Alaska’s National Forests announce the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Whistlestop Tour from Alaska to Washington, D.C.

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The National Christmas Tree will stop in Utah on Nov. 9

The Tongass and Chugach National Forests, nonprofit partner  Society of American Foresters and presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, are excited to announce the eleven  locations of the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Whistlestop Tour, starting in Alaska’s “First City,”  Ketchikan.  

The tree’s 4,000-mile journey from Wrangell, Alaska, to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building will  kick off on Oct. 30. Over three weeks, the tour will travel to the “Lower 48” by sea and then by truck from  the Pacific coast of the United States all the way to the eastern seaboard. 

At each stop along the way, people will have the opportunity to sign the side of the uniquely Alaskan  trailer with markers, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree souvenirs from Alaska Geographic, get free  stickers and pins, and learn about Alaska’s national forests and the 54-year tradition of the USDA Forest  Service providing the “Peoples Tree.” 

The tour’s eleven Whistlestops before the tree is delivered to Washington, D.C. are:  

Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Ketchikan, Alaska 

  • Alaska Marine Highway Terminal (3501 Tongass Ave.) 
  • Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  

Friday, Nov. 8 – Baker City, Ore. 

  • Baker County Fairgrounds & Event Center -Rodeo Grounds (2600 E. St.) 
  • Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.  

Saturday, Nov. 9 – Pocatello, Idaho 

  • The Pocatello Veterans Day Parade (700 E. Lewis St.)
  • Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 9 – Murray, Utah 

  • Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation’s Wheeler Historic Farm(6351 S 900 E) Time: 5 to 7 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 10 – Grand Junction, Colo. 

  • Cabela’s (2424 US-6) 
  • Time: 3 to 5 p.m. 

Monday, Nov. 11 – Loveland, Colo. 

  • The Ranch Events Complex (5280 Arena Cir.) 
  • Time: 4 to 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, Nov. 13 – Omaha, Neb. 

  • Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront (345 Riverfront Dr.) Time: 5 to 7 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 16 – Fort Wayne, Ind. 

  • Parkview Field (1301 Ewing St.) 
  • Time: 4 to 7:00 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 17 – Columbus, Ohio 

  • Center of Science and Industry (333 W. Broad St.) 
  • Time: 1 to 3:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, Nov. 19 – Hagerstown, Md. 

  • The Maryland Theater (21 S. Potomac St.) 
  • Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Thursday, Nov. 21 – Joint Base Andrews, Md. 

  • Andrews Theater (1674 D St.) 
  • Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m. 
  • Note: DoD with installation access only

Tour dates and locations are subject to change. For more information on the Whistlestop Tour events,  visit: http://www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar 

The tree’s journey is possible with the generous support of presenting sponsor 84 Lumber along with  Kenworth Truck Company, Lynden Transport, Hale Truck and Trailer, SEALONCE, Alaska Airlines,  Alaska Geographic, KTUU, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Ironwood Forestry, Truckload  Carriers Association, TreeSwift, T3, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc., Verizon Frontline and more. 

About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree  

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 54-year tradition in which one of America’s 154 national  forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made  possible with support from partners including nonprofit Society of American Foresters and Alaska  Geographic, cash and in-kind contributions from small businesses and large corporations, as well as  volunteers throughout Alaska and across the United States.  

We invite everyone to learn more and follow the journey of the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree at: 

Follow Alaska’s National Forests at: