Idaho Falls gets preview of the People’s Christmas Tree
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IDAHO FALLS — Local community members got a chance to see the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree Friday night on its final stop in Idaho.
According to a news release from the city of Idaho Falls, the 55-year tradition is for one of the nation’s 154 national forests to provide a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website shows that the last time a national forest in Idaho was selected was in 2016, making it 10 years since a tree grown in Idaho was chosen.
The tree, a 76-foot Engelmann Spruce, was harvested in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and, since late October, has been making its way down from the Idaho Panhandle to its final stop in Idaho Falls.
Hundreds of local community members made their way to the Idaho Falls Community Library to see the tree, grab some hot chocolate and learn more about Idaho’s national forests.
Zach Peterson, a staff officer for the Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forest, told EastIdahoNews.com that this is the third year Idaho has been chosen to provide the People’s Tree for this annual tradition.
As the tree makes its way to the U.S. Capitol, it will make more stops, with some slated for Wyoming, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia and Maryland.
Part of the tradition is allowing local community members to sign the container in which the tree is stored.
“We’ll do that all the way across the country, and so people can leave their mark on the project as we go east,” Peterson said.
Peterson said the speaker of the House will determine the exact date the tree will be installed, but he estimates it should be on display within the first week of December.
“It’s once in a career opportunity to be able to be part of this project. And so many forests have come before us, and to the forests that come after us, to have the opportunity to provide this tree. It’s just a really special time to really kick off the holiday season,” Peterson said.
A couple who were there to see the tree and get to sign it spoke with EastIdahoNews.com during Friday night’s festivities.
Kristie and Todd Wood decided that day to go see the tree.
Kristie said she loves that Idaho was selected this year, not only as the tree to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, but also because she believes Idaho is one of the most patriotic states.
“We love nature, and we love people, so it’s perfect,” Kristie said.
Todd found it interesting that the selected tree was also a nod to America’s founding year, measuring 76 feet tall. He said that while Idaho isn’t as old as some of the eastern states, he is pleased to know that, in a small way, the state is contributing to celebrating the nation’s 250 years.
“To take a piece of our state all the way across the country is quite magnificent,” Todd said.
