LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is making history as the first ever from Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The tree was named “Silver Belle” and will journey from the Silver State to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol with stops at parades, festivals, and community gatherings across Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kentucky, uniting thousands in pride, joy, and holiday spirit while carrying the heart of Nevada to the heart of America.
The 53-foot red fir tree was harvested on Friday morning in the Carson Ranger District at Sky Tavern off of the Mt. Rose Highway. Prior to cutting, the tree was blessed by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Ty Dayberry of South Lake Tahoe had the honor of being the person to cut the tree. A crane then carefully hoisted the tree onto a long trailer for transport across the country.
A section of Mt. Rose Highway will temporarily be closed near the Galena Creek Regional Park Sunday, Oct. 26 as the tree on the oversize vehicle travels down the highway.
The Mt. Rose Highway will be closed from above Mt. Rose Ski Resort (Slide Mountain Road) and Timberline/Bordeaux drives from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26. Motorists will still be able to travel the lower and upper sections of Mt. Rose Highway but will not be able to travel between Mt. Rose Ski Resort and Timberline/Bordeaux drives during the closure. Side street access on this section of Mt. Rose Highway will also briefly be closed during the same time.
The tree will be in the Nevada Day Parade on November 1 before it goes to Lovelock and Elko on the 2nd, and Ely on the 3rd.
“The selection of the tree brings us a step closer to the honor of sharing the first Capitol Christmas Tree from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the state of Nevada with the nation,” said Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Jon Stansfield. “From starry skies to neon lights, we plan to use this journey to showcase the best of the Silver State, including the spectacular high-elevation forests that produced the perfect Christmas tree.”
Follow Silver Belle’s journey at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.
Virginia City fourth-grader Grady Armstrong was selected to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, known as the “People’s Tree,” this December after winning an essay contest that was open to all Nevada 4th graders. Grady will read his essay alongside the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson during the tree lighting ceremony.
Photos from US Forest Service – Humboldt-Toiyabe
