Capitol Christmas Tree makes stop in Kansas City
As part of its journey from Oregon to Washington, D.C., the Capitol Christmas Tree made a stop in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Nov. 20. A crowd of about 100 people cheered as a brand new Kenworth W990 carrying an 80-foot noble fir rolled into Kansas City’s historic Union Station.
The Capitol Christmas Tree was harvested Nov. 2 from the Williamette National Forest in Oregon before leaving on the more than 3,000-mile journey.
Starting in Sweet Home, Ore., the trip commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail by tracing the historic route in reverse.
The tree is being hauled by Central Oregon Truck Co., Redmond, Ore. The Kansas City leg of the tour was driven by Brad Amione, the company’s director of safety and services, and Phil Taylor, the company’s vice president of maintenance.
“This has been pretty spectacular,” said Taylor, who has had a commercial driver’s license since the early 1980s.
“It’s been really astounding to see the reaction the public has given the tree. It’s been really remarkable. I’m frankly really surprised by the turnout of all the people. It’s been amazing.”
The tree’s remaining stops include a Thanksgiving parade in St. Louis on Nov. 22; Harrison, Ohio, on Nov. 23; and Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Nov. 25. The tree is scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26.
The tree will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol with a public tree-lighting ceremony in early December. In addition, 70 smaller companion trees will be sent from the Williamette National Forest to decorate government buildings and public spaces.
Land Line Now’s Terry Scruton contributed to this report.
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