MARIETTA — Final preparations are underway to welcome the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Marietta Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 205 Putnam St., Marietta.
The public is invited to come and enjoy this event which includes a musical performance by the Marietta High School band and choir, along with the Betsey Mills preschool.
Wayne National Forest will be arranging photo opportunities with Smokey Bear. Also, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance.
Tree
The 88-foot white spruce is expected to arrive at 10 a.m. in front of the Washington County Courthouse. Downtown travelers are advised that Putnam Street, between Second and Third, will be closed between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The tree is traveling on an 85-foot semitrailer, towed by a custom decorated truck; followed by a caravan of caretakers for the journey to the U.S. Capitol, where the official tree lighting will take place Dec. 2.
The tree has been carefully packaged and is not clearly visible in its entirety on the truck.
A window through the packaging will offer a glimpse, with some of the 10,000 ornaments made by Minnesotans, but for the most part, people will see the container and the truck transporting it. The public will also have a chance to sign a banner that is accompanying the tree to Washington, D.C.
For the past 50 years, a tree has appeared on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. during the holiday season. The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with Choose Outdoors and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, are bringing this gift from the Chippewa National Forest in north central Minnesota to Washington, D.C. for the 2014 season.
Track the tree in real time by visiting www.capitolchristmastree.com/.
