Now that the Memorabilia are in it is time to focus on the upcoming deadlines for the many Capitol Christmas Tree events.
Capitol Christmas Tree Mug - More items by clicking through this image.
California has long been an inspiration to many artists, writers, and musicians. The state is filled with many creative people of all age groups. Many popular songs have been written about California and California venues. It is a famous and well known state for a number of industries including high tech, motion pictures, and tourism. California has certainly made its mark on American culture, education, and heritage.
This year, 2011, California will again be in the bright spotlight, as the United States Nation turns to the great state of California to select the next US Capitol Christmas Tree. The Capitol Christmas Tree tradition began in 1964. The tree is the Christmas tree that adorns the west front lawn on the grounds of the Capitol Dome in Washington DC. It is different from the National Christmas Tree which is the one that decorates the west lawn of the White House. Since 1970, all the trees chosen have been selected from the National Forest of the State that was selected as that year’s donor.
In November, the tree known also as the People’s Tree will be chosen from the Stanislaus National Forest. A tree cutting ceremony will be held in Sonora, California in early November. This will be followed by a State Tour of several cities in California and a National Tour where the tree will stop in a number of cities and towns throughout the United States before it makes its way to the Nation’s Capitol.
At the state tree cutting ceremony in Sonora, and at the national lighting ceremony, the Capitol Christmas Tree Anthem will be performed by some lucky artist. This will certainly give one more opportunity for California to really shine!
The Capitol Christmas Tree Anthem
This year’s theme is “California Shines” and what better way to make this event even brighter, is to let some Californian write, compose, and perform their own version of the Capitol Christmas Tree Anthem for 2011. Consequently, a contest has been started by the United States Forestry Service (USFS) for a Californian over the age of 18 to submit their own song as an entry in a contest. The winner of the contest will be this year’s anthem. All songs should be original, and recorded on a quality compact disc.
Last year’s winner, from Wyoming, was Bryan Ragsdale with the song titled, “Country Christmas Tree”, who teamed up with that state’s youth to produce a CD of this song. This year’s winning entry will also be placed on a CD to raise funds for the event.
UPDATED: August 12 Extended to the 31st – Art Contest Due Date
Click here to download the Juried Art Exhibition Entry Form.
UPDATED: August 12 – Song Search Due Date
How to Enter
• Open to all Californians, at least 18 years of age
• Record an original, production quality CD
• Print, complete, and sign the entry form
• Mail entry form and CD to USFS by July 12, 2011
UPDATED: August 31 – Ornaments due
Indoor Ornament Criteria
Outdoor Ornament Criteria
Ornament Submission Form
Entry Form for the Tree Lighting Trip
August 31 – Art Contest Winner Announced
September 10 – California Shines! Booth at Tuolumne Me-Wuk 100th Anniversary Acorn Festival
November 5-6 – Tree Cutting celebration at the Sonora Fairgrounds
November 8 - California Tour Begins
November 15 - Cross Country Tour Begins – First Stop, Flagstaff, AZ
November 28 - Tree Arrives in Washington, D.C.
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.
