U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to begin journey Nov. 8

The 2017 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s 2,000-plus mile journey from the Kootenai National Forest in Montana to Washington, D.C., will be made in style.

A Kenworth T680 Advantage with a special decal design will bring the tree cross-country for a special lighting ceremony in early December. Whitewood Transport’s Larry Spiekermeier, who has 1.6 million accident-free miles, was selected to drive the Kenworth T680, which will haul a trailer specially designed for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.

The decal design features the 2017 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, the Kootenai National Forest seal, and the U.S. Capitol beneath a starry sky with the words “Big Sky. Big Tree. Big Journey.”

A tree-cutting ceremony will be on Nov. 8. From there, the tree tour will make a series of stops on the way to Washington, D.C.

Some scheduled stops:

• Monday, Nov. 13: Eureka, Mont.
• Tuesday, Nov. 14: Libby, Mont.; Troy, Mont.; and Trout Creek, Mont.
• Wednesday, Nov. 15: Thompson Falls, Mont.; and Missoula, Mont.
• Thursday, Nov. 16: Helena, Mont.; and Great Falls, Mont.
• Friday, Nov.17: Harlem, Mont.; and Glasgow, Mont.
• Saturday, Nov.18: Glendive, Mont.; and Dickinson, N.D.
• Sunday, Nov. 19: Grand Forks, N.D.; and Browns Valley, S.D.
• Monday, Nov. 20: Kansas City, Mo.
• Tuesday, Nov. 21: Springfield, Mo.
• Wednesday, Nov. 22: Poplar Bluff, Mo.; and Paducah, Ky.
• Sunday, Nov. 26: Joint Base Andrews
• Monday, Nov. 27: Deliver to U.S. Capitol

Whitewood Transport, based out of Billings, Mont., was selected as the hauler for this year’s tree.

“It is an honor to be selected to carry the 2017 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree and to represent the great state of Montana during the tree’s journey to Washington, D.C.,” Whitewood Transport Owner Mike Wilson said in a news release. “You can count on Whitewood Transport to deliver this special gift to the nation safely with the support of our friends at Kenworth.”

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour is in its 53rd year.