Each year since 1970, the U.S. Forest Service has provided a Christmas tree to be placed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. For the 2018 season, the tree is coming from the Sweet Home Ranger District provided by the Willamette National Forest.
This year's theme is "find Your Trail" and commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail, and the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System. In addition, 70 smaller trees will be sent to appear in offices throughout the nation's capitol.
The 80-foot Christmas tree will make the reverse trek along the Oregon Trail back to Washington, D.C.
Stacy Nalley, Public Outreach Coordinator at the Oregon State Capitol, says Oregonians are invited to help create 10,000 ornaments to adorn the trees. The Oregon State Capitol is holding three events that will have ornament making stations for the public:
- Multicultural Day at the Capitol, Saturday, September 8th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Oregon Pioneer's 80th Birthday Party, Tuesday, September 18th, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.
- Oregon's Bounty, Saturday, October 6th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Capitol will have volunteers, ornament ideas and will furnish the supplies. There is no charge to make ornaments.
If you'd like to make an ornament for the U.S. Capitol, visit capitolchristmastree.org and download a specification sheet. All ornaments will be boxed up and sent off after October 6th, 2018.
For more information about ornament making stations at the Oregon Capitol or any other Capitol events, visit oregoncapitol.com, or call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388.