Award-winning singer and songwriter Kate Wallace and her songwriting friend, Annie J. Dahlgren, will perform “Peace, Peace, Peace” Nov. 5th at the Four County Celebration in Sonora, Calif., where the public gets its first chance to see the 65-foot white fir from Stanislaus National Forest

that will become the nation’s Christmas tree

 ”Peace, Peace, Peace,” a holiday song co-written by Santa Barbara-based songwriters Kate Wallace and Annie J. Dahlgren, has been selected as the official song of the 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in a statewide competition.

 ”It‟s a beautiful song that not only reflects the spirit of California, but the spirit of the season,” said Maria Benech, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree coordinator, adding that the song will soon be posted at www.capitolchristmastree2011.org.

 Wallace and Dahlgren will perform their song live during the Four County Celebration in Sonora on Nov. 5, when Californians get their first chance to see the 65-foot white fir from Stanislaus National Forest that will serve as the nation‟s Christmas tree.

“I knew immediately, when I heard about the song search, that it was something I wanted to try,” said Kate Wallace, an award winning singer and songwriter who has produced and recorded four CDs in addition to working as a songwriter for Universal/Polygram Music and Honest Entertainment and performing in folk festivals and music clubs across the country, including Trinity Backstage in Santa Barbara.

 Dahlgren, for her part, is a writer, songwriter and storyteller who has completed more than a dozen screenplays as well as a musical for the stage and another in audio form. As a principal in her production company, “Over 40 Productions,” she also explores the art of storytelling as a video producer and editor.

 ”I had to coax Annie a little,” Wallace said, “but once we got going, we felt we had something special on our hands.”

 Indeed, known as the “People‟s Tree,” this year‟s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a gift from Californians to the entire nation, and the song selected to be performed just prior to the tree being lighted for the first time is intended to represent not only the spirit of the holiday season, but the essence of California itself.

 ”We asked ourselves, „What would we want the global community to hear from this nation, courtesy of California, as we light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree?” Wallace recalled. “It was, without hesitation, joy, love, understanding and peace. What else could cross every international cultural and language border and mean more?”

 Wallace and Dahlgren will perform the song live at a special reception that precedes the tree lighting ceremony at the U.S. Forest Service headquarters.

 Californians, for their part, can see Wallace and Dahlgren perform Peace, Peace Peace on Nov. 5 at the Four County Celebration at the Motherlode Fairgrounds in Sonora.

The celebration, which is expected to draw as many as 10,000 participants from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco, will be the first and only place that members of the public can see the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree before it is boxed up and prepared for its 4,000-mile journey from Sonora to Washington, D.C.

 The tree is expected to arrive at the fairgrounds in mid-afternoon. Celebration participants will have a chance to sign a banner wishing everyone in the United States a Merry Christmas. The celebration will feature holiday themed arts and crafts activities; live Cajun, bluegrass, and folk music; wine tasting; food; and more than 60 booths that showcase the food, produce, businesses, activities and hospitality of Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.

 Visit www.capitolchristmastree2011.org for more information about the nation‟s Christmas tree and related events. For more information on Wallace and Dahlgren, please visit their respective websites at www.katewallace.com and www.anniejdahlgren.com.

 Maria Benech

2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator

Stanislaus National Forest

(209) 532-3671, Ext. 263

mbenech@fs.fed.us

www.capitolchristmastree2011.org

Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa and Alpine counties are celebrating with a parade and “Gifts from Under Our Tree,” a daylong event at the Motherlode Fairgrounds in Sonora with arts and crafts, storytellers, live music, food, wine tastings and more than 60 exhibits
SONORA, Calif. – Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa and Alpine counties are planning a parade and a day filled with fun family activities and entertainment on Saturday, Nov. 5th to celebrate the arrival of this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in the historic Sierra Nevada gold rush town of Sonora.
“This is a once in a lifetime celebration for Sonora,” said Maria Benech, coordinator for the 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, adding that as many as 10,000 people from the Central Valley, the Bay Area, and as far away as Lake Tahoe are expected to converge on Sonora to take part in the day’s activities.
The Four County fair, which is titled, “Celebrating Gifts from Under Our Tree,” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Motherlode Fairgrounds in Sonora. Attractions include holiday themed arts and crafts activities for children and adults and more than 60 exhibits that showcase the history, art, culture, business and recreational offerings of Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Alpine counties.
Exhibits will feature some of the handmade ornaments that will adorn the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as well as the winning work of art in the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Art Competition.
The celebration will also include numerous food booths as well as booths with wine tastings. Live music will be provided by Kate Wallace and Annie Dahlgren, who will perform “Peace, Peace, Peace,” the winning entry in the 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Song Competition, as well as several other bands featuring Cajun, bluegrass and folk. These include the Blues Box Bayou Band, the Singing Nuns, WindHorse and JimblyLeg. Storytellers B.Z. Smith and Mark Stoltenberg will also be providing entertainment throughout the day.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree itself is expected to arrive in Sonora around 3: 00 p.m. and will enter the city as part of a parade that will end at the
fairgrounds, where everyone will have a chance to see the Christmas tree before
the tree is packaged up for its cross-California and cross-country tour.
“Don’t tell anybody, but we’re hearing that Santa Claus himself is also
making arrangements to make a surprise visit to Sonora when the Christmas tree
arrives in town,” Benech said, adding that a few of Santa’s elves have already
been seen checking out the historic gold rush town.
“Smokey the Bear, Woodsy, Sammy the Salmon and Francis the Fish are
also expected to be on hand for the Christmas tree’s arrival,” she said.
Celebration participants will have a chance to sign a banner wishing
everyone in the United States a Merry Christmas. Admission to the event is being
offered free of charge, along with free parking. However, celebration attendees
are encouraged to bring a can of food as part of a “Pay It Forward” gift to Gallup,
N.M., from the people of California. As the Christmas tree tours across country,
additional food will be collected and eventually about 20 pallets of food will be
delivered to Gallup as a “Gift From Californians.” Gallup was selected to receive
these gifts of food because, in addition to being one of the poorest cities in the
country, it is along the route that the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be taking to
Washington, D.C.
Following the day’s events in Sonora, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is
expected to arrive in other Central California cities as follows:

• Nov. 8th the tree will pass through Oakdale and Manteca, with stops
  allowing people to sign the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banner, learn
  about the tree, purchase memorabilia, and be a part of the Christmas
  cheer.
• Nov. 9th the tree will be in Sacramento, arriving at the State Capitol by
  1 p.m. Festivities are currently being planned.
  Nov. 10th the tree will arrive in Modesto at 10 a.m. and Merced by 2
  p.m., with stops allowing people to sign the U.S. Capitol Christmas
  Tree banner.
• Nov. 11th, the tree will be showcased in the Fresno Veterans Day
  Parade in late morning (beginning about 11:00 a.m.) and will make a
  stop at the Fresno Children’s Hospital in Madera about 2 p.m. The
  tree is also scheduled to arrive in Kingsburg between 4 and 5 p.m.
  that evening.

08-Nov | Oakdale 11am – 3:30 pm G St near Yosemite Ave
08-Nov | Manteca 5:30pm – 7pm opening comments 5:45 Yosemite
                and Manteca Avenue (Library Park)
09-Nov | Sacramento 1pm to 6pm Capitol Bldg
10-Nov | Modesto, 10:30-12:30 p.m., near Modesto Centre Plaza on 11th Street
                between K and L Streets
10-Nov | Merced 4:00-6:00 Main Street and Canal (Bob Hart Square)
11-Nov | Fresno 11am Downtown Fresno parade
11-Nov | Central California Children’s Hospital 1:30 pm – 3 pm Madera
                at Hospital SNF firetruck/Smokey
11-Nov | Kingsburg 5pm – 7pm
12-Nov | Santa Clarita 10am – 3pm Saugus Swapmeet, 22500 Soledad Canyon Rd.
13-Nov | Los Angeles 11am – 5pm Autry Center
14-Nov | Rancho Cucamonga 10am – 2pm Victory Gardens – Mall
14-Nov | Barstow 5pm – 7pm unknown
15-Nov | Flagstaff, AZ
16-Nov | Gallup, NM 1:00-5:00 Cultural Center Parking – Railroad Museum
17-Nov | Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Place Mall
18-Nov | Amarillo, TX 330 Downtown Library 413 E. 4th Ave
19-Nov | Tinker AFB, OK 2:30-6:00 on base – call Kathy 30 min out -
                enter at Truck gate 33
20-Nov | Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 2pm – 5pm PX at Constitution and Replacement
21-Nov | Santa Claus, IN Cringle Place Shopping Center
23-Nov | Cherokee NC 1000-100 Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds
24-Nov | Greensboro, NC 1pm – 530pm outdoor iceskating rink
25-Nov | Newport News, VA time info to come Oyster Point City Center
26-Nov | Dumpfries, VA 1000-100 rest stop on I-95
27-Nov | Hershey, PA time info to come Hershey Entertainment Complex

Maria Benech
2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator
Stanislaus National Forest
(209) 532-3671, Ext. 263
mbenech@fs.fed.us
www.capitolchristmastree2011.org

Granite Ablaze by Marc Davis http://www.MarcDavisPhotography.com.

A STUNNING PHOTOGRAPH OF SNOW-COVERED PINE TREES IN FRONT OF YOSEMITE’S EL CAPITAN
Marc Davis’s winning photograph, “Granite Ablaze,” will be permanently displayed at the U.S. Forest Service headquarters in Washington, D.C.
DUBLIN, Calif., Nov. 4, 2011 – Marc Davis has won this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree art competition with “Granite Ablaze,” a beautiful winter sunrise photograph of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Davis, a Dublin-based electrical vehicle engineer with a passion for photography, wins a free trip to Washington D.C. as a result of his efforts, and will attend a reception with the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service as well as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 6th.
His winning contest entry will be hung at the headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service.
“It’s an enormous honor that I’m thrilled to have,” said Davis, who frequently travels to Yosemite and other scenic locations throughout the Sierra Nevada to pursue his passion for nature photography.
“My understanding was that the winning entry was supposed to depict what a Christmas tree from California might look like, so I hoped the combination of the tall snow-covered trees in front of El Capitan, certainly an iconic symbol of California, would have a good chance,” he said, adding, “The Stanislaus National Forest, from which the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be cut, borders Yosemite to the northwest so I felt these trees were highly representative.”
Other judges beyond those affiliated with the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Art Contest have been impressed with “Granite Ablaze” as well. The photograph has also won awards this year from the California State Fair, the Alameda County Fair, the Firehouse Arts Center PAL Show and was a semifinalist in last year’s Official Federal Recreation Lands Photo Contest.
Davis traces his passion for photography to Mooreland Hill School in Kensington, Conn., where he was a student from 6th to 9th grade. “I was extremely fortunate to have a teacher with a photography hobby, and was therefore able to develop and print in a darkroom at school. With his encouragement and direction, I fell in love with photography as art, and that passion burns stronger than ever today, three decades later,” he said.
Davis said he’s looking forward to traveling to Washington D.C. with his wife, Annette, and children, Zachary, 9, and Mackenzie, 7. “We’d been thinking of planning a trip to DC anyway, as we feel the kids are the right age for a first visit. Now we view the trip as a once in a lifetime opportunity that we
wouldn’t miss for anything,” he said, adding, “I can’t wait to see the look in my children’s faces when
those 10,000 lights are illuminated for the first time.”
You can see more of Davis’s photographs at http://www.marcdavisphotography.com. Information involving the
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is available at www.capitolchristmastree2011.org.

Maria Benech NEWS RELEASE
2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator
Stanislaus National Forest
(209) 532-3671, Ext. 263
mbenech@fs.fed.us

Seven year old Johnny Crawford was selected to turn on the 10,000 LED lights that illuminate this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Photo: YubaNet

Seven-year-old Johnny Crawford from Sonora, Calif. will join Speaker of the House John Boehner in the Dec. 6th tree lighting ceremony, which features a 65-foot Sierra white fir from Stanislaus National Forest
SONORA, Calif., Oct. 24, 2011 – Seven year old Johnny Crawford has spent the past two years studying U.S. history with his mother, who home schools him along with his brother and sister.
Little did Johnny know that he would become part of U.S. history himself.
Last Thursday, officials from Stanislaus National Forest arrived at his home in Sonora, Calif. to tell him that he had been selected in a random drawing to turn on the 10,000 LED lights that illuminate this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in a ceremony that includes Speaker of the House John Boehner.
“He was very surprised,” said Lisa Crawford, Johnny’s mother, adding that her family is making plans to travel to Washington, D.C. for the Dec. 6th tree lighting ceremony.
Johnny learned about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree last spring, when he joined other children at the Little Red School House in Sonora and made ornaments for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as a class project.
Lisa Crawford subsequently entered Johnny’s name in the drawing to participate in the tree lighting ceremony, which drew 717 participants from across California.
“Children from every area of California participated in the drawing, from Yreka, Chester and Mount Shasta in the north to Long Beach, Pasadena and San Juan Capistrano in the south,” said Maria Benech, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree coordinator.
The actual drawing was made on Thursday by Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Joe Silva.
The 2011 US Capitol Christmas Tree Committee is coordinating fundraising efforts to pay for the hotel and airfare for Johnny and another family member to attend the tree lighting ceremony. For more information, visit www.capitolchristmastree2011.org.

Maria Benech
2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator
Stanislaus National Forest
(209) 532-3671, Ext. 263
mbenech@fs.fed.us
www.capitolchristmastree2011.org

By Associated Press, Published: October 4

FRESNO, Calif. — Somewhere in the middle of a California forest stands a perfectly formed 65-foot white fir about to meet a glorious end as the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree.

Where, exactly, is top secret, though it is somewhere in the Stanislaus National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada mountains.

“It’s a matter of national security,” said Maria C. Benech, in all seriousness.

She is the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator, for now at least. After the tree is safely delivered to the front of the U.S. Capitol, she’ll go back to overseeing resources in the forest.

The tree is, indeed, a spectacular specimen, standing out like a verdant beauty queen amid scraggly competitors, at least in the photo the forest service provided. The shot shows only the top half of the tree and those around it to avoid identifying landmarks and keep its location guarded.

It was chosen based on shape and fullness, color and the condition of its foliage. No Charlie Brown tree would do. The Capitol needs a tree that looks cylindrical from all sides.

Earlier this year, rangers set out to find 30 potential candidates to show Ted Bechtol, supervisor of the U.S. Capitol Grounds Division. He toured the forest in July to make his selection from a group whittled to 15.

“He looked at them, then slept on it before making the final decision,” Benech said.

The tree will be cut Nov. 5 and loaded on a tractor-trailer truck for a tour along a 4,500-mile route that begins with a jaunt through California’s heartland, then roughly follows Interstate 40 across the U.S. Only a few days earlier, an environmental assessment report will be made public that will pinpoint the tree’s precise location.

After that it will be guarded by law enforcement 24/7 to prevent both saboteurs and terrorists, Benech said.

The tradition of “The People’s Tree” began in 1964, and the job of providing it rotates among national forests. This year, the Stanislaus National Forest was chosen to provide the tree, marking the fourth time the Capitol tree will come from California.

It will be decorated by 5,000 ornaments handmade by Californians. House Speaker John Boehner will light it along with a child from California on Dec. 6.

Come January, when the tree has served its purpose, it will be ground into mulch and spread across the Capitol gardens. It’s not lost on Benech that a living entity will die to provide joy to so many.

“That’s a pretty good way to go,” Benech says. “The good news is we’ve got a million more of them out there. I think we’ll be OK.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
from The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/white-fir-in-californias-stanislaus-forest-chosen-to-be-the-us-capitols-christmas-tree/2011/10/04/gIQAWgsMLL_story.html

http://capitolchristmastree2011.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/white-fir-in-california%e2%80%99s-stanislaus-forest-chosen-to-be-the-us-capitol%e2%80%99s-christmas-tree/

Kate Wallace

Kate Wallace (www.katewallace.com ) is an award-winning former Nashville singer/songwriter who returned to her home state of California to carry on the tradition of creating and performing music that matters. While in Nashville, Kate produced and recorded four CDs, was a staff songwriter at Universal/Polygram Music and Honest Entertainment, had songs covered by famous and infamous artists alike, made videos and toured the country, played many folk festivals and clubs in the country, but after 11 years, felt she was Too Long From the Sea (Kate’s critically acclaimed 4th CD), and returned to Santa Barbara. There, she continues to write, record CDs (3 since her Nashville days) play festivals, book the highly popular acoustic music series, Trinity Backstage with fellow artist, Douglas Clegg (www.trinitybackstage.com) , and teaches songwriting and guitar seminars nationwide, as well as privately.
To have been honored by having her song, Peace Peace Peace (written with fellow California songwriter, Annie J. Dahlgren, www.anniejdahlgren.com) selected as the song to represent the state of California as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is lighted, is the highlight of her writing career.  Kate is a 5th generation Californian (early Californian Don Benito Wilson is her great great grandfather) and is grateful every day that she gets to live in this historically monumental and beautiful state, in hard times and easy alike– and write songs, for heaven’s sake! There is no place like it on earth. Kate said, “I knew immediately, when I heard about the song search, that it was something I wanted to try. I had to coax Annie a little, but once we got going, we felt we had something special on our hands. In these days, we asked ourselves, what would we want the worldwide global community to hear from this nation (courtesy of California) as we light the U.S. Capitol Tree? It was, without hesitation, joy, love, understanding and peace. What else could cross every international cultural and language border and mean more?” Listen to Peace Now:

Annie and I both hope we can all carry out this message individually and as a nation.

Annie J. Dahlgren is a writer and storyteller first and foremost having completed more than a dozen screenplays, a musical for the stage and another in audio form, a myriad of short stories and of course, songs.
As a principal in her production company “Over 40 Productions” she explores the art of storytelling in another form as a video producer and editor.  She has produced many music videos for local independently produced musicians, including those for her dear friend and oft-times co-writer, Kate Wallace.
Annie and Kate learned of the Christmas Tree song search through a friend and it was Kate who suggested they give it a try.  Kate’s instincts proved true as they began their delightful co-creative “dance” which culminated, as it has so many times, in something so fulfilling and hopeful they just knew it had a shot.  Who, after all, does not resonated with joy, love, understanding and peace?
It is such an honor and thrill to be recognized in this way for something that brings us such joy.  Our hope is that the joy is contagious.

Source:  http://capitolchristmastree2011.org/song_search.html

2005 Winner Kaitlyn Ferencik and Nancy Pelosi

YOUNG CALIFORNIANS CAN WIN A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE U.S.
CAPITOL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Entry forms for the statewide drawing must be postmarked by Oct. 7th
Children love Christmas trees and especially turning on the Christmas lights.
Now imagine the thrill for the child who gets a chance to turn on the 10,000 lights that
illuminate the 65-foot Christmas tree that¹s erected in front of the U.S. Capitol Building
in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Forest Service and its partners are inviting all Californians between the ages
of 5 and 17 to participate in a drawing to win an all-expense paid trip to Washington,
D.C. to participate in the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in early
December with Speaker of the House John Boehner.
The trip, which is paid for through private donations, covers the cost of travel for the
winning child and an accompanying parent or guardian.
A young Californian will have the chance to participate in the tree lighting ceremony this
year because the Stanislaus National Forest is supplying the 65-foot white fir that will
stand on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. The tree is known as the ³People¹s
Tree² and is a gift from Californians to the entire nation,² said Maria C. Benech, U.S.
Capitol Christmas Tree coordinator.

Interested participants must move quickly, however. Entry forms for the 2011 Capitol
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony must be postmarked by Friday, Oct. 7th. Entry forms
and other information about the drawing and the history of the U.S. Capitol Tree are
available at www.capitolchristmastree2011.org.
The website also includes specifications and shipping directions for handmade
ornaments, which are being soughtto decorate the Capitol Christmas Tree. Individuals
of all ages, including artists and crafters, are encouraged to create and donate
ornaments for the Capitol Christmas Tree.
Ornament makers are being encouraged to use recycled or natural materials for their
creations.
Maria C. Benech NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator
Stanislaus National Forest
(209) 532-3671, Ext. 263
mbenech@fs.fed.us

Although there are indications that the Capitol building purchased Christmas trees in other years, it wasn’t until 1964 that an official annual celebration was held.  It was that year that the supervising office of the grounds at the Capitol dome decided to purchase a one and plant it on the Western lawn of the Capitol building.  Thus, the tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree was born.

John McCormack, the Speaker of the House in 1963, had made the suggestion for an annual search and celebration, which was acted upon the following year.

The Capitol Christmas Tree is different from the National Christmas Tree.  The National Tree is the one that is actually used at the White House, where it too, is placed on the western lawn, but in that case, near the residence of the President and the First Family during the holiday season.

The Capitol Christmas Tree celebration began in 1964 when a large Douglas Fir was purchased from a Pennsylvania nursery and actually planted on the grounds of the Capitol building.  Consequently, the Capitol Tree was lit and redecorated as a live tree, each year through the 1967 holiday season.  Apparently, in the Spring of 1967, a huge storm had caused root damage to the tree, and it unfortunately actually died after that holiday season.  That tree had measured 24 feet high. Starting in 1968, other trees had to be used.  In fact, two were combined to form the Capitol Christmas Tree in 1968. Those combined trees came from Maryland and when measured, were about a thirty foot tree.  Then in 1969, another tree from Maryland was chosen.  That one was forty feet tall.

Then in 1970, a major change occurred.  Since that time, a different tree has been chosen every year from one of the states in the United States.  The tree is chosen under supervision of the United States Forestry Service from a National Forest within that state.   The final selection is made from a group of candidates submitted to the Architect of the Capitol.

The chosen tree is viewed as a gift of that state to the rest of the nation.  Each year, the selected state holds contests for donations of handmade ornaments, a song contest is held, as well as a drawing where a child from that state is selected to help light the tree along with the Speaker of the House.  The selected tree becomes the Capitol Christmas Tree for that year.  In 2010, the state of Wyoming had this honor, and in 2011, it is the state of California. The 2011 theme is California Shines.

Current Schedule

UPDATED: October 7  –  Ornaments due

Criteria & Forms:
Indoor Ornament Criteria
Outdoor Ornament Criteria
Ornament Submission Form
Entry Form for the Tree Lighting Trip

UPDATED: September 31 – Art Contest Winner and Song Search Winner Announced

September 31 – Art Contest Winner and Song Search Winner Announced

UPDATED: October 7 –  Ornaments due

November 5-6 – Tree Cutting celebration at the Sonora Fairgrounds

November 5-6 – California Shines U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree journey begins
November 8 - California Tour Begins
November 15 - Cross Country Tour Begins – First Stop, Flagstaff, AZ
November 28 - Tree Arrives in Washington, D.C.

Early December:  The 2011 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be illuminated by a child from the state of California along with the Speaker of the House, John Boehner.  The California Congressional Delegation, Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and California Governor Jerry Brown will also likely be in attendance.

Once the tree is lit, it is open for public viewing throughout the holidays until January 1, 2012.  The lights come on at dusk and are turned off nightly at 11:00 p.m.

At every event and celebration for the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree we will be collecting non-perishable food to be donated to a local food bank. This is an important part of our program to give back to the communities who participate in this celebration

Since 1970, it has become an honor for one of the National Forests to be asked to provide the Capitol Tree. The appointed National Forest, in turn, engages help from diverse partners throughout its respective State. The opportunity to provide the Capitol Christmas Tree becomes a state-wide celebration and civic event, leaving a lasting impression on all who are fortunate enough to be involved.

2011 will be the fourth year California has contributed the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, the last time was in 1995. Known as “The People’s Tree”, the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree will be harvested from the Stanislaus National Forest located in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
The Forest Service recommends 8 to 10 trees to the superintendent of the capitol grounds, who makes the final selection of which tree will be the official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Several aspects are taken into account during the selection, including the shape and fullness of the tree, the tree color and foliage condition, and species characteristics of needle retention and branch pliability. Of course, access to the tree for ease of cutting, loading, and transporting are also considered.

It is estimated that the tree selected will be approximately 60 feet tall. Imagine a 6-story tall building—that is about how tall the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be.

An additional 100 companion trees will be delivered to the Washington D.C. area and placed in federal offices, congressional and senate offices, the National American Indian Museum, and the United States Supreme Court.

The Road Trip – California’s tree will travel throughout the state visiting many cities and towns before it journeys to Washington, D.C. The California state tour is estimated to take about 8 days.

The U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree 2011 will also make frequent stops in communities across the nation on its way to Washington, D. C. The national tour will take an additional 12 days. The tree will be escorted by federal officials and have 24 hour a day Law Enforcement protection. A second full-sized semi-truck will be needed to transport all the ornaments and smaller trees to Washington, D. C.

The caravan will travel more than 4,500 miles during its three week tour. The tree will be transported on a double flatbed truck. Placed on its side, it will rest in a custom made cradle that supports the branches, preventing damage and maintaining the tree’s perfect shape. The base of the tree will be fitted with a rubber bladder filled with fresh water nightly. The tree will absorb approximately 60 gallons of water each day throughout its journey to Washington, D.C.

Some neat facts!
The Citizens of California will make the 5,000 ornaments used to decorate the tree. The ornaments will be 9 to 12 inches tall and must be made to withstand 3 weeks of harsh winter weather.

• 10,000 LED Christmas lights are strung throughout the tree.
• It takes more than a week for the U. S. Capitol Architect and his team to decorate.
• The Capitol Christmas Tree is topped by the same single star ornament used each year.
• The tree will be placed into a hole nearly five feet deep and cemented into place.
• Although U. S. Capitol Christmas Trees are varied heights, when installed they can be no taller that 60 feet.
• The Capitol landscape crew does not have a basket crane taller than that!
• An additional 2,000 ornaments will be made for the 100 companion trees displayed throughout Washington, D. C. offices and buildings.

Ceremoney – Called “The People’s Tree”, the U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree from California will actually be presented to Congress as a gift from the Golden State.

The 2011 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be illuminated by a child from the state of California along with the Speaker of the House, John Boehner. The California Congressional Delegation, Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and California Governor Jerry Brown will also likely be in attendance.

Once the tree is lit, it is open for public viewing throughout the holidays until January 1, 2012. The lights come on at dusk and are turned off nightly at 11:00 p.m.

All the preparation for the US Capitol Christmas tree are under way. As with preparations for any festival, it involves early planning so that the event runs smoothly. Just like any other celebration, The Us Capitol Christmas tree events are planned for early in the months before the actual events and activities.  Please see the list at the bottom of the article for the current dates and check back for any updates.

Due to the time of year that the Christmas holiday is most people tend to think about preparing for this event in the month of December, this is not the case. Because Christmas as an important holiday for many people we should plan for the day by starting early preparations well in advance.  In the early mid months of September to November, the thought of planning Christmas events normally strikes. From this point one may think, Christmas trees, so as to avoid the last minute rush.  For Christmas tree preparations to start early there are tips of choosing the right Christmas tree and how to nurture the tree till Christmas day is finally here!

To assure your tree will fit make measurements from the floor to ceiling, this helps to determine the right height and width of the Christmas tree. The space available, which we measured, should fit the tree appropriately. This means that one should decide whether the space available is for a tall or a short tree and make appropriate adjustment to its height by trimming the base to fit the space and location. Choose a proper fitting stand that is of appropriate size for your tree. In this one is able to make sure that the tree is mounted in a stable and safe manner, the stand should also be adjustable so as that the tree can be leveled. A Christmas tree needs and drinks a lot of water, hence the need to fill the stand with water regularly to prevent drying up before your Christmas celebration events. Since early preparation for your Christmas tree is desired, think about its freshness at the time of purchase. If the tree is fresh it will be better and last longer. To determine if a tree is fresh, look at its needles they should look shiny and bright green. The fresher it is, the better it will stay till the day of the occasion. One should make a fresh cut on the trunk, if it soaks water immediately the tree is fresh. There are different types of Christmas trees, such as Frasier Fir, Balsam, Douglas fir or the Scotch pine as well, therefore, before making any decisions considers which type you like most first.  Such a decision will help in choosing a tree with your taste and preference from a wide range, and also on the beauty of the tree as well is to be looked at. The Frasier Fir is considered to last longer, though its branches are not that close together. When making early decorations as well, one should consider putting garlands, ornaments and electrified lights so that the tree appears uniform and pleasant to the viewer.

Taking care of the Christmas tree is an important responsibility. This is because the proper watering, and location, such as avoiding heat sources which may dry or even start a fire, can damage and shorten the life of the tree. Keeping the tree in a good position undoubtedly helps in maintaining it until Christmas.

Current Schedule

UPDATED: September  30 –  Ornaments due

UPDATED: August 31 – Art Contest Due Date

Click here to download the Juried Art Exhibition Entry Form.

UPDATED: September 31 – Art Contest Winner and Song Search Winner Announced

September 10 – California Shines! Booth at Tuolumne Me-Wuk 100th Anniversary Acorn Festival
September 17 – Groveland 49er Festival

UPDATED: September  30 –  Ornaments due

September 31 – Art Contest Winner and Song Search Winner Announced

November 5-6 – Tree Cutting celebration at the Sonora Fairgrounds

November 5-6 – California Shines U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree journey begins
November 8 - California Tour Begins
November 15 - Cross Country Tour Begins – First Stop, Flagstaff, AZ
November 28 - Tree Arrives in Washington, D.C.

Early December:  The 2011 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be illuminated by a child from the state of California along with the Speaker of the House, John Boehner.  The California Congressional Delegation, Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and California Governor Jerry Brown will also likely be in attendance.

Once the tree is lit, it is open for public viewing throughout the holidays until January 1, 2012.  The lights come on at dusk and are turned off nightly at 11:00 p.m.

At every event and celebration for the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree we will be collecting non-perishable food to be donated to a local food bank. This is an important part of our program to give back to the communities who participate in this celebration