Idaho spirit will pervade through the U.S. Capitol this winter with the “People’s Tree,” also known as the Capitol Christmas Tree, a more than 50-year tradition, said Kim Pierson of the National Forest Service.
As the tree travels across the country, it will stop at multiple locations along the way, allowing people throughout the nation to see the tree and leave short notes on the banner on the side of the truck. From 2-5 p.m. Thursday, the semi-truck carrying the tree stopped at the Kibbie Dome parking lot at the University of Idaho for students and community members in the Moscow area to do just this.
This is one of the first stops the tree, joined by the National Forest Service and the Big Idaho Potato Tour, has made on its long journey to Washington D.C.
“We start off with a week in Idaho, so they always tour around the state that it’s from,” said Ellis Nanney of the Idaho Potato Commission.
UI President Chuck Staben kicked off the event by welcoming attendees and discussing the symbols associated with the tree, Pierson said. The UI Marching Band and the Vandaleers each performed shortly after. University dining services provided hot-chocolate, coffee, snack mix and tree-themed cookies.
The Big Idaho Potato Tour and the National Forest Service also provided activities for children in the parking lot.
“We go around the country celebrating Idaho potatoes, reminding people where the best potatoes come from everywhere we go,” Nanney said as children played ‘potato hole’ next to the giant potato.
She said Idaho last provided the Capitol Christmas Tree in 2003. This year, the tree comes from the Payette National Forest near McCall, Idaho, she said. Pierson said it is also up to Idaho to provide decorations.
“We have over 18,000 ornaments that go along with the tree that were made by Idahoans. We provide 70 additional companion trees that are coming from Northern Idaho that go to Congressional offices, and it really represents the spirit of Idaho and the people who live in and work here,” she said.
Nanney said all the ornaments on the 84-year-old tree are made from recycled materials which mitigates waste when the season is over.
The lighting ceremony will take place Dec. 6 in D.C. after going to an Air Force base to be tested for threats to safety, Nanney said. Updates on the tree’s location will be posted on the Capitol Christmas Tree website.
Nina Rydalch can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NinaRobin7