In The News
Through SkyBitz tracking technology, public can participate in Capitol Christmas tree journey
SEWARD, Alaska — The Capitol Christmas Tree is headed to Washington.
The journey began near here Tuesday with the official cutting ceremony in the Chugach National Forest.
The Capitol Christmas Tree, a traditional that began 50 years ago, has been an outreach program of the Truckload Carriers Association since 2012.
For the fourth year in a row, TCA is working with several major players in the trucking industry to coordinate the logistics of bringing the tree to many communities along its route to Washington and to showcase the trucking industry's involvement in transporting the tree.
TCA and Garner Transportation will be hosting two stops in Findlay, Ohio, November 16. Garner Transportation is located in Findlay.
"We are looking forward to the Capitol Christmas tree stopping in Findlay," said Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, chairman of TCA's Image Committee and president of Garner Transportation. "While here, the entourage will make at stop at our government center in downtown Findlay where they will be greeted by local dignitaries including our city's mayor, county commissioners and Ohio State Representative Robert Latta. After this ceremony, the entourage will move to a local elementary school where students will be able to view the tree, learn about the U.S. Forestry Department, meet Smokey the Bear and make Christmas ornaments to send to Washington with the tree. I am very proud of the trucking industry and how we come together, collaborate and assist important programs like the Capitol Christmas tree."
The 74-foot Lutz Spruce is the first Capitol Christmas Tree to come from Alaska, and also the first to be transported by sea.
This year, the tree's journey will cover roughly 4,000 miles, including ocean transport from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seattle.
New this year is the involvement of SkyBitz, a TCA member.
SkyBitz, a provider of satellite-based trailer tracking, will offer the public with access to real-time tracking of the tree's journey at www.TrackTheTree.com.
"We are proud to support this tradition for the eighth year and look forward to creating a unique opportunity for the American public to follow along virtually on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour and partake in the many unique activities during its various community events," said SkyBitz President Henry Popplewell, "The website we created, TracktheTree.com, allows everyone the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of the season and the forests that connect us all, regardless of where they are located."
Here are the scheduled stops for the tree:
- October 30, Moose Pass, Alaska, 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Trail Lake Lodge
- October 30, Anchorage, Alaska, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cabela's sporting goods store
- October 31, Anchorage, Alaska, noon to 4 p.m. at Trick or Treat Street
- November 7, Seattle, 10:00 a.m. to noon at Museum of History and Industry
- November 8, Missoula, Montana, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Cabela's
- November 10, Sheridan, Wyoming, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Holiday Inn Convention Center
- November 11, Rapid City, South Dakota, 9:30 a.m.to noon, Main Street Square and Veteran's Day Parade
- November 12, La Vista, Nebraska, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cabela's
- November 15, South Bend, Indiana, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., downtown South Bend
- November 16, Findlay, Ohio, 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Court House/Municipal Building and 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Chamberlin Hill School
- November 17, Chillicothe, Ohio, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Mount Logan Elementary School
- November 18, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, 4 p.m.
The tree will arrive at the U.S. Capitol on November 20.
The tree lighting is expected to occur in early December. The exact date will be determined by the U. S. Speaker of the House of Representatives, and will be broadcast on C-SPAN.
The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at [email protected].