ASHEBORO — Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season.
The National Forests in North Carolina, in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors, will bring the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Pisgah Forest to Washington, D.C., including a special appearance at the North Carolina Zoo Nov. 10 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
The 78-foot-tall Red Spruce was harvested from the Pisgah National Forest in early November and prepared for the nearly 1,000-mile expedition. The journey will include a series of outdoor community celebrations before being delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 18, where it will be decorated with handmade ornaments and tree skirts specially created by North Carolinians.
Festivities during the tree’s visit to the North Carolina Zoo on Nov. 10 will include remarks by Zoo and public officials, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and hot cocoa and cookies. The event will be in the North America Parking Lot by Solar Pointe picnic area and is free to the public (but does not include free admission to the Zoo).
“We are honored that the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will visit the North Carolina Zoo on its journey from North Carolina to Washington, D.C.,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Deputy Secretary Jeff Michael. “Visiting the North Carolina Zoo is a family tradition at any time of year, but we are thrilled to add the joy of hosting the ‘People’s Tree’ to inspire our guests for the upcoming holiday season.
“We are beyond grateful for the host cities who play such a vital role in bringing the tree across the country,” said James Melonas, Forest Supervisor, National Forests in North Carolina.
For more information on the North Carolina Zoo event, visit https://www.nczoo.org/events/us-capitol-christmas-tree-tour.
For news, events, and tour information, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com, along with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
