To be able to say our Nation's Christmas tree proudly standing on the Capitol lawn during the holidays came from your home state is a big deal and if you live in Minnesota you have bragging rights for 2014!  Today, Wednesday, November 5 the historic 88 foot white spruce will make a stop at Bayfront Festival Park.

 

First a history lesson. The tradition started back in 1964 when then House Speaker, John W. McCormack, a Democrat from Massachusetts put a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn.That tree actually lived for three years before getting root damage.  Then in 1970 a capitol architect asked a U.S. Forest Service if they could deliver a tree to be used as the Nation's Christmas tree.  Since then, a different National Forest has provided a tree for the honor.  They call it "The People's Tree".  The same National Forest that's chosen for the BIG tree also provides all the smaller trees you would see in the government offices.

This year, the honor goes to the Chippewa National Forest, whose offices are in Cass Lake, MN.  They chose the perfect 88 foot tree white spruce that will make the 2,000 mile journey to be on the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holidays.  This is only the second time that the Chippewa National Forest has been asked to provide the tree.  It was back in 1992 that the Leech Lake Reservation provided a 60 foot white spruce.  Along with the tree thousands of ornaments made by local school children will also be sent.

Once the tree arrives at the Capitol there will be a tree lighting ceremony and it will be lit every night from dusk until 11pm throughout the holiday season.  You will definitely be able to tell the state the tree was felled.  There are plans to have it decorated with things that scream Minnesota, like loons and walleyes.  I just wonder if anyone is planning on a mosquito ornament.  That totally makes sense to me!

UPDATE:

You are invited to be part of this historic event.  The tree is expected to make 28 stops on it's 2,000 mile journey and Bayfront Festival Park is one of them.  From 5:30-7:30 tonight you can view the tree and take part in family friendly activities.  Bring the family, take pictures and make this date one to remember!

 

 

 

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