Capitol Christmas tree begins its journey from N. Carolina next week

A Kenworth T680 Next Generation, adorned with a newly installed special graphics design, will soon transport the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the National Forests in North Carolina to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.

This year’s tour theme “From the Mountains to the Sea” along with “From the National Forests in North Carolina” are prominently displayed on the truck’s driver and passenger sides. The design also features the U.S. Capitol Building, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, and a background of the sunset overlooking the Pisgah National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains. The 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree logo is displayed on the roof. 

This year’s carrier based in Siloam, North Carolina, is recognized on both doors – Hardy Brothers Trucking – Coast-to-Coast. The company selected its husband-and-wife driver team of Harold “Ed” Kingdon Jr. and Deborah Z. Kingdon for the honor of transporting the special tree – a 78-foot tall Red Spruce scheduled to be harvested Nov. 2 from the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. 

The Kingdons will drive a T680 Next Gen equipped with a 76-inch mid-roof sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain to a full slate of community celebrations en route to Washington, D.C. The T680 Next Gen also provides drivers with the latest Kenworth SmartWheel, customizable 15-inch digital display, fully LED lighting down the road, additional advanced driver assistance systems, and a comfortable cab and sleeper.

The public community celebrations begin Nov. 5. The official tree lighting ceremony on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building is scheduled for Nov. 30. Smaller companion trees also will be provided to decorate offices inside of the U.S. Capitol building and other sites throughout Washington, D.C., along with handmade ornaments created by North Carolinians.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour’s public schedule includes:

  • Nov. 5: Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Fletcher, North Carolina
  • Nov. 6: Cherokee County Courthouse, Murphy, North Carolina
  • Nov. 6: Oconaluftee Island Park Event Site, Cherokee, North Carolina
  • Nov. 7: Pisgah Forest Ranger Station & Visitor Center, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
  • Nov. 7: Marion Main Street, Marion, North Carolina
  • Nov. 8: Avery County Cooperative Extension Center, Newland, North Carolina
  • Nov. 8: Watauga High School, Boone, North Carolina
  • Nov. 8: Downtown Newton, Newton, North Carolina
  • Nov. 9: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Mount Airy, North Carolina
  • Nov. 9: Troy Town Hall, Troy, North Carolina
  • Nov. 10: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Carolina
  • Nov. 11: North Carolina Veteran’s Home, Kinston, North Carolina
  • Nov. 12: Union Point Park, New Bern, North Carolina
  • Nov. 13: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo, North Carolina
  • Nov. 14: Suffolk Visitors Center, Suffolk, Virginia
  • Nov. 18: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
  • Nov. 30: Tree Lighting Ceremony, Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website (www.uscapitolchristmastree.com).