FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2023 

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Visit Morgantown, WV During 2023 Tour

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The Monongahela National Forest, in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors and presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, will bring the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from West Virginia to Washington, D.C., including a special appearance in downtown Morgantown being organized with West Virginia University on November 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The 63-foot-tall Norway Spruce will be harvested from the Monongahela National Forest in early November. Its journey will include a series of outdoor community celebrations before being delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 17, where it will be decorated with handmade ornaments specially created by West Virginians.

The tree's visit to downtown Morgantown will be on November 11 at the Courthouse Square, located at 243 High Street, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Festivities will include hot cocoa, kid's crafts, live music, photo-ops and more. The event will be free and open to the public.

“We are honored that the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will visit Morgantown on its journey to Washington, D.C. this year,” said Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli. “We look forward to this event acting as the kickoff to the holiday season.

WVU is helping to coordinate the Morgantown stop and will host the High Street event in partnership with the City of Morgantown, Mainstreet Morgantown and Monongalia County. The University has been involved in the project in a number of ways in recent months, including through WVU Extension.

“The U.S. Forest Service reached out to us to engage our 4-H’ers and other volunteers to be a part of the Capitol tree project because it was a natural fit,” Jorge Atiles, dean of WVU Extension and Engagement, said. “Service is at the heart of our Extension programs, including 4-H. That commitment to service was on full display this summer. Youth and other volunteers created more than 5,000 tree ornaments depicting the state’s scenery, wildlife, 4-H and other artwork. These ornaments will be delivered to Washington, D.C. this fall where they will be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors this holiday season. It’s an experience they will always remember.”

The tree’s journey is possible with the generous support of presenting sponsor 84 Lumber along with Kenworth Truck Company, Werner Enterprises, Hale Truck and Trailer, Spireon, WCHS ABC 8/FOX 11, Verizon Frontline, Society of American Foresters, All Crane & Equipment Rental, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, AHF Products, Bruce®, Armstrong Flooring™ and Robbins® flooring brands, Great West Casualty Company, Warwood Tool, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc. and more.

The top priority is the safety of tour staff, event attendees, and the tree; local public health guidelines will be followed. We ask the public to be aware of the large truck’s substantial blind spots, wide turns, and longer stopping distances on our roads as they welcome the tree to their communities.

Follow the City of Morgantown and Main Street Morgantown on social media for additional information in the coming month! For news, events, and tour information, visit uscapitolchristmastree.com, @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram, and @MonongahelaNF on Facebook.

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