2015 US Capitol Christmas Tree visits MOHAI

For more than 50 years, a tree has graced the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The Chugach National Forest, in partnership with nonprofit Choose Outdoors, will bring this special tree from Alaska to Washington, D.C. for the 2015 season, involving more than 10 communities along the way, including an appearance at Seattle’s Lake Union Park near the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. – noon.

The tree will be cut on Oct. 27 near Seward, Alaska and prepared for the 4,000-mile expedition. With great fanfare, the tree will leave the Chugach National Forest followed by a caravan of caretakers for the journey to the U.S. Capitol. Fifteen community celebrations are being planned throughout the tour, culminating with the official tree lighting in early December.

Kenworth Trucks and Lynden Transport are two area-based sponsors supporting the 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative. A special decaled Kenworth T680 will transport this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree across the country driven by celebrated Lynden driver, John Schank. A 1924 Kenworth truck built at the company’s first assembly plant in Seattle is on special loan from PACCAR is on display at MOHAI.

Nov. 7 festivities will include the 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree on display, the debut of the Kenworth T680 and Christmas-themed truck wrap, Lynden Transport’s Old. No 27 rolling exhibition, representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and Choose Outdoors, Smokey Bear and Sasha Salmon, and special performance by Alaska band, Blackwater Railroad. Activities are open to the public and free for all. Attendees are encouraged to visit MOHAI following the event.

For more information on the tree tour and to track the tree cross-country, visit www.capitolchristmastree.com. MOHAI is located at Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave N.