US Capitol Christmas Tree Whistle Stop Event in Fortuna

Press release from the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce:

Christmas tree at the US Capitol building. [Photo from the US Forest Service]

Every year, the USDA Forest Service selects one of its 154 national forests to provide a tree to appear on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. The Six Rivers National Forest in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors will bring this special gift from California to Washington, D.C. for the 2021 holiday season. The Tree will make a special appearance in Fortuna on Saturday, October 30 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the River Lodge Conference Center located at 1800 Riverwalk Drive.

Under the theme, Six Rivers, Many Peoples, One Tree, the 84’ tall White Fir will be harvested on the Six Rivers National Forest on Oct. 25 and prepared for the 3,300-mile expedition. The journey will include a series of 25 outdoor community celebrations before being delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 19. The Tree will then be decorated with handmade ornaments and tree skirts specially created by Californians and lit in early December.

“The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree campaign exists to connect people from across California and throughout the country to the outdoors and their public lands,” said Ted McArthur, forest supervisor for the Six Rivers National Forest. “We are honored to represent California national forests and bring the joy of the People’s Tree on its journey to Washington, D.C.”

Festivities during the tree’s visit to Fortuna on October 30 will include a food drive sponsored by Cornerstone Realty benefiting the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department’s Santa’s Sleigh program, take-home ornament kits donated by A.M. Baird Engineering and the Fortuna Post Office, an interpretive display and goodie bags from the US Forest Service, plus more. Activities are open to the public and free for all to enjoy while following local health guidelines. For more information on the Fortuna event, visit fortunachamber.com/capitoltree.

“We are excited that the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will visit Fortuna on its journey to Washington, D.C.” said Renee Lindsay, President & CEO of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. “Putting this event together could not be possible without support from the City of Fortuna, Fortuna Police Department, California Conservation Corps volunteers, our sponsors, and other volunteers. We invite the community to come by anytime during the event to see the tree from Six Rivers National Forest.”

The initiative made possible with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America, who provide vital support of time and resources. 2021 sponsors include Kenworth Truck Company, System Transport, ABC Sacramento, Spireon, Inc., PG&E, Hale Trailer, Mountain F Enterprises, Visit California, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, Great West Casualty Company, Meritor, Society of American Foresters, BT Metals, Alaska Airlines, Green Diamon Resource Company, Sierra Pacific Industries, Mendocino Humboldt Redwood Companies, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc., The Joy Trip Project, Bass Pro Shops, Vesmir, Gene Lucas Community Center, Dick Taylor Chocolates, Humboldt Craft Spirits and Chico Bag. Follow along online at uscapitolchristmastree.com and @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram.

“We are grateful to the host cities, such as Fortuna, who play a vital role in bringing the tree across the country and this annual celebration to life,” said Bruce Ward, President, Choose Outdoors.

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