U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will stop in Dixon in November

The Christmas tree that will be on display outside the U.S. Capitol this holiday season will have its roots in California — literally.

The 84-foot white fir will be arriving from Six Rivers National Forest in Willow Creek and will be making its way through the U.S., stopping in various cities along the way. One of these stops will be in Dixon, where the Chamber of Commerce arranged to have the tree displayed at the fairgrounds for a special event Nov. 2.

“We are thrilled,” Shauna Manina, Chamber president and CEO, said. “It’s a great opportunity for the community in Dixon, not only the people within the community, but also I know it’s gonna bring people from outside our community. Dixon is gonna shine.”

Every year, the Capitol Christmas Tree is harvested from a different national forest and delivered to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol via a tractor trailer. The tree’s expedition to Washington, D.C. this year is estimated to be approximately, 3,300 miles starting with its departure from Six Rivers Oct. 29, and it will be displayed in different cities along its route for small events.

Initially, Manina said the University of California, Davis was considered for the tree’s Nov. 2 stop, but the college was unable to accommodate the tree on that date. However, Manina had a friend at UC Davis who forwarded her email, and she in turn brought it to the city and the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

“It came back, ‘Yes, let’s pursue this,” she said.

Board Chair Herb Ross said in a statement he felt honored that the tree would be stopping in Dixon.

“Our community looks forward to being a part of this gift to the nation and the joy it will bring to our own community this holiday,” he stated.

Mayor Steve Bird echoed these sentiments in another statement.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to participate in something that is national, as well as a great opportunity to focus attention on our great town of Dixon,” he stated. “This event is an honor for Dixon and will definitely lift our spirits for the upcoming holidays.”

Manina said there would be no cost to the city, as that would be handled by the team that transports the tree.

Now that Dixon had been secured as a stop for the Christmas tree, the question then became where to display it, as the truck that will be carrying it is 102 feet long. Manina said a few options had been considered, including closing the street in front of City Hall and displaying there. However, she said it would have interfered with activity at John Knight Middle School across the street.

Instead, the city opted to exhibit it at the Dixon Fairgrounds.

“It has a large enough space to accommodate the tree, also some of the interactive displays that accompany the tree, and still have enough room for people to view it,” she said.

Patricia Conklin, Dixon May Fair CEO, told The Reporter she felt honored to have the tree in Dixon.

“It’s exciting to be a part of something so big,” she said.

The tree’s first stops will be in Crescent City and Eureka Oct. 29, followed by Willow Creek and Fortuna on Oct. 30, Ukiah on Oct. 31 and Sausalito and the Vallejo Ferry Nov. 1.

The tree will be on display in Dixon 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 2. Manina said the tree would be laying down on the trailer, with the lower 60 feet encased in wood and covered with banners. On these banners, she said people can sign their names or express positive wishes to the country for the holiday season.

The event will also feature educational interactive booths from the U.S. Forest Service, speeches by local dignitaries, an appearance by Santa Claus and a color guard performance. More details will be announced closer to the event.

After its Dixon pit stop, the tree will be displayed in front of the state Capitol in Sacramento the following day and continue its journey with stops in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Maryland before it arrives at the Capitol Nov. 19. The tree’s journey will be tracked online at Capitoltreetracker.com.

Once the tree makes it to the Capitol, it will be decorated with handmade ornaments and tree skirts created by Californians and lit in a special ceremony in November.

“The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree campaign exists to connect people from across California and throughout the country to the outdoors and their public lands,” Ted McArthur, Six Rivers forest supervisor, said in a statement. “We are honored to represent California national forests and bring the joy of the People’s Tree on its journey to Washington, D.C.”

The Dixon Fairgrounds are located at 655 South First St. Admission and parking for the event will be free.

“This is a gift to our community,” Manina said.

For more information on the Dixon event, call 678-2650.