11/8/2009 10:44:00 PM Prescott, PV celebrate U.S. Capitol
Christmas tree stops Wednesday
F.Fonseca, file/The Associated Press
This 85-foot blue spruce from Arizona's Apache Sitgreaves National Forest that will serve as the Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. The 7,000-pound tree that is taller than a seven-story building. From Alpine, it will go on a statewide tour before arriving at the Capitol on Nov. 30.
The Daily Courier
Prescott and Prescott Valley will conduct special celebrations Wednesday when the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree makes stops here before heading to Washington, D.C., for the holidays.
This is the first time in history that Arizona has provided the Christmas tree for the Capitol's west lawn.
The 85-foot-high blue spruce was felled Saturday in the White Mountains of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
The tree will tour around Arizona Nov. 10-19 before heading to other sites to the east and then reaching the U.S. Capitol Nov. 30.
The tree will travel north along Interstate 17 and Highway 69 on the way to Prescott Valley and Prescott Wednesday, so other communities in Yavapai County also will get a glimpse. For more information on the route, visit CapitolChristmasTree2009.org.
Prescott Valley's celebration takes place at 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and the Entertainment District's circle fountain.
Onlookers can sign the celebration banner while hearing Mayor Harvey Skoog's welcoming address and watching the American Legion Color Guard. The Bradshaw Mountain High School Choir will perform, and seasonal beverages and treats will be available.
In Prescott, Special Events Coordinator Becky Garvin said the city plans to "send (the tree) off good old Prescott style."
When the tree arrives in town at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, Garvin said the city will close down the block of Gurley Street in front of the Yavapai County Courthouse plaza to allow parking space for the large flatbed truck that will be carrying the tree.
From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the city will conduct a holiday event that will include an appearance by Santa, elves passing out candy canes, hot chocolate and music.
Watters Garden Center also will be on hand to conduct a free raffle to win live Christmas trees.
Garvin expects staff members who are traveling with the tree to be available to provide information about the tree and its journey to the White House.
"The tree is thought to be 125 years old," Garvin said. "People will be able to see it up close and have their pictures taken with it."
The tree will spend the night in Prescott before heading out Thursday to more Arizona communities.
Arizonans handcrafted more than 10,000 ornaments to adorn the Capitol Christmas Tree as well as the 80 smaller companion trees that the state is providing for federal agencies in the nation's capitol. Students created many of the ornaments, and one will win a drawing for a trip to Washington to help light the Capitol Tree.
Gov. Jan Brewer will announce the winner of the drawing when the Capitol Tree makes a stop in Phoenix Nov. 12.
"Arizona is home to some of the most spectacular forests and natural landscapes in the world," Brewer said. "This is a great opportunity to share our state's natural beauty, as well as our culture and heritage, with the rest of the country."
Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
God's Gift:
We as a nation need to celebrate the birth of Jesus and what Christmas is all about. This tree reminds us of the importance of celebrating His birth.
Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
How many tens of thousands of dollars are being printed to pay for the driver, the truck, the fuel, food, and the organizing everywhere this tree goes?
The money would be better spent to help the really needy families who deserve the help!
That would be a better Christmas in my opinion...But, Christmas is commercialism!
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Save the Blue Spruces
Why not go artificial, now that's change I can believe in. AZ provided 80+ trees for Washington this year, not just the Capitol Tree pictured. All for 1 month out of the year, when those trees could have provided us decades of beauty in their natural environment.
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Scrooge McDuck
It hasn't been called a "Holiday tree" since 2005, but it should be called a murdered tree. It's evil to cut down a nice tree.
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Dan Farkas
According to the White House, this is actually a "holiday" tree...but wait...the word "holiday" comes from "holy" day...whoops...it will have to be called a "special" day tree. Change...that's what some people wanted...have you had enough "change" yet?
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Always killing things because their old.I wish that tree could give a history lessen.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Duh!!! Herman
Who do you think paid for it...the Christmas tree fairy? Of course tax dollars paid for it.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Herman
How sad to end the life of this majestic creature. I hope my tax dollars are not going into this stupidity!
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I like "Tongue in Cheek" and "Sigh's" comments. SO true!! Onward . . .
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Jay
POTUS celebrates Christmas?
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
MQDallas
I read this story sent by my sister who lives in PV.I thought it odd at first that the tree would be touring around but when I read about the thousands of ornaments created by local Arizonans you guys should be proud.Surely those who attend will enjoy it. The others can sit home and gripe about something else!
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Just Passing Through
Would the real Santa Claus please stand up? Oh forgot myself no such person. Maybe if someone is lucky they will pick a needle up from this fallen tree and can press it in the family Bible. Try Luke 2 that is where the real Christmas story is.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
After 125 Years, Cut It Down -- WHY?
This tree was doing ok on its own for 125 years, and someone thought they needed to cut it down. So sad! Who thought they knew better than Mother Nature?
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Its Great!!
You Big Whiney Babies!! Im taking my kids just so they can get a free candy cane from an elf. Doesnt sound costly to me? Pull the pillow back over your sour puss face and hold it there....for a long time.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Way to go Arizona!!
Wow! I feel so sorry for all of you Scrooges out there who are bashing this historical event. With all the negative that is going on in our world today, why can’t we just have a couple of hrs where we are not thinking of our sick, dying, hungry and war torn world. If you choose not to participate that is your choice, that is why they call in “Land of the Free” Let the rest of us have our moment.
