US Capitol Christmas Tree Begins Its Journey From Oregon To DC

PORTLAND, OR – There aren't a lot of Christmas Trees that get national attention. There's the tree in Rockefeller Center, the White House Christmas Tree, of course, and the US Capitol Christmas Tree.

On Nov. 2, the tree that is known as "The People's Tree" will begin its journey to Washington, D.C., where it will stand in front of the Capitol building.

It's being cut down in Oregon's Willamette National Forest and will then travel the Oregon Trail – in reverse – before arriving in DC.

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The tree – a Sweet Home Fir – was selected by the US Forest Service in January. When it arrives in DC, it will be decorated with 10,000 ornaments handmade in Oregon.

It's the second time the tree has come from Oregon. The 2002 tree started out in the Umpqua National Forest there.

This year marks what's considered the 175th anniversary of the trail. While people had traveled to Oregon before 1843, that year saw the "Great Migration of 1843" where nearly 1,000 people traveled Oregon.

It is also the 50th anniversary of the National Trails Systems Act.

To mark both anniversaries, the tree will travel the more than 3,000 miles to Washington, stopping at 25 cities along the way.

Along the way, they will stop at state capitals, museums, and schools. It will also be featured in three parades – one in Sweet Home, OR, one in Scottsbluff, NE, and the Thanksgiving Parade in St. Louis.

A website's been set up where you can track the tree's progress and check its schedule.

• As of Nov. 2, this was the schedule:
• Friday, Nov. 9: Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St, Sweet Home, OR 97386 (12:00 p.m. Street Fair, 6:00 p.m. Parade and 7:30 p.m. Program)
• Saturday, Nov. 10: Linn County Circuit Court, 300 SW Fourth Avenue, Albany, OR 97321 (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, Nov. 10: Cabela’s, 2800 Gateway Street, Springfield, OR 97477 (4:00 – 5:30 p.m.)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Tokatee Golf Club, 54947 McKenzie Hwy, McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 (10:30 – 11:30 a.m.)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: 48257 E. 1st , Oakridge, OR 97463 (2:30 – 4:30 p.m.)
• Monday, Nov. 12: 450 SW Powerhouse Dr., Ste 422, Bend, OR 97702 (11:00- 1:00 p.m.)
• Monday, Nov. 12: 160 Detroit Ave, Detroit, OR 97342 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Nov. 13: Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301(10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Nov. 13: Oregon City, OR, 1726 Washington St. Oregon City, OR 97045 (5:00 - 6:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, Nov. 14: The Dalles City Hall, 313 Court Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058 (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.)
• Wednesday, Nov. 14: 2101 Main Street, Baker City, OR 97814 (5:30-6:30 p.m.)
• Friday, Nov. 16: City Hall, 911 North 7th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83201 (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.)
• Friday, Nov. 16: City Park, 51 E 2nd S, Soda Springs, ID 83276 (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 17: Ft. Bridger State Historic Site, 37001 Business Loop I-80 Fort Bridger, WY 82933 (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.)
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, 975 Snowy Range Road, Laramie, WY 82070 (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.)
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Scottsbluff, NE including parade route from 23rd St. to 17th Street on Broadway and ceremony on the 1700 block of Broadway (6:00-7:00 p.m.)
• Monday, Nov. 19: Otoe County Courthouse, 110 South 11th, Nebraska City, NE 68410 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Nov. 20: Perry - Lecompton Middle School, 408 Lecompton Rd, Perry, KS 66073 (12:00 – 2:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Nov. 20: Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108 (3:00 – 5:00 p.m.)
• Wednesday, Nov. 21: Independence Uptown Market, 211 W. Truman Rd, Independence, MO 64050 (9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: 2018 Ameren Thanksgiving Day Parade, 7th Street and Market Street, St. Louis, MO (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
• Friday, Nov. 23: City of Harrison, 100 Harrison Avenue, Harrison, OH 45030 (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
• Sunday, Nov. 25: Andrews Air Force Base, 1500 Perimeter Rd. Joint Base Andrews, MD (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

*The locations of stops are subject to change. All times are approximate and do not account for unforeseen weather and traffic delays. Monitor website for latest updates.

File photo of Willamette National Forest via US Forest Service.