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ELKINS -- Residents anxiously wanting to get a first look at this year's U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree won't have to wait long, as the 63-foot Norway Spruce is scheduled to visit downtown Elkins on Saturday.
"This is a once-in-50-years opportunity for everyone to celebrate the Mon Forest and the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree," Elkins-Randolph Chamber Director Lisa Wood told The Inter-Mountain Wednesday. "It really is a great occasion and we want to make Saturday's event as special as possible for the citizens and the kids."
Each year, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season. This year's tree was harvested in the Monongahela National Forest in Randolph County Wednesday. It's the first time since 1976 that a tree was selected from West Virginia.
A host of festivities are planned in conjunction with the Tour Kickoff for the tree, including a mini-parade that is scheduled to take place at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Third Street.
Elkins High School, Tygarts Valley High School and Elkins Middle School bands will join together to lead the tree from the parade's starting point next to the Jennings Randolph Federal Building. From there the tree, which will be situated on a 100-foot trailer, will make its way to the Elkins Railroad Depot.
Those standing along the parade route will receive small United States and West Virginia flags to wave as the bands and the tree move up Third Street. Citizens are encouraged to join the back of the parade as it passes, and march to the Depot along with the bands.
"The tree is scheduled to make the turn off of Randolph Avenue onto Third Street," Wood said. "It will then stop next to the Federal Building before heading to the Train Depot.
"We are really encouraging onlookers to be positioned on Third Street anywhere between the Depot and Federal Building. They will be given flags to wave as the parade goes by and we are asking everyone to step in behind the tree and join the parade as it goes by."
Law enforcement, dignitaries and Elfkins Elves will take part in the parade, which will conclude at the Depot. After its arrival, invited government officials will speak, along with Ethan Reese and Mark Bowe.
Reese, a fourth-grader at Beverly Elementary School, won the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest by beating out 400 other entries from across the state.
Bowe is the host of Magnolia Network's "Barnwood Builders," an American documentary television series that follows a team of builders that remove logs and beams from old cabins and historic barns to use them when constructing modern houses.
Free treats and hot chocolate will be served at the Depot gathering, which will run from 6-8 p.m. There will also be live music and children's activities during the event, that will feature a visit from the Old Brick Playhouse's Elves.
"At least two dozen businesses and organizations have volunteered to provide the activities, treats, trinkets and reindeer games for the event," Wood said. "We have a lot of different things for families to participate in during the two-hour celebration."
The Elkins Depot Welcome Center will be decorated for the event, and the nearby streets will be adorned with wreaths purchased in honor or memoriam by local citizens.
The wreaths and six snowflakes that will be put up on Railroad Avenue were installed and provided by FirstEnergy. Those wishing to have a wreath placed in memoriam are asked to make a donation by contacting the Elkins-Randolph Chamber.
The kickoff event was put together by the "Elfkins" Planning Team, which consists of Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco and his staff, the Randolph County Development Authority, Elkins-Randolph Chamber, Elkins Main Street, Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Old Brick Playhouse, Citizens Promoting Community, and Our Town Inc.
"We want everyone attending Saturday's celebration to be safe and be aware that the truck bringing the tree in has a 100-foot trailer," Wood said. "So they need to be careful around the trailer, particularly when it is moving. Once the tree is in a parked location, people will be invited to take a closer look and sign banners around the trailer."
After the tree's stop in Elkins on Saturday, it will travel to Summersville on Sunday and Marlinton on Monday. Well-wishers at those locations can see the wrapped-up tree on its extra-long trailer, sign banners attached to each side, learn about Monongahela National Forest, and purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise.
The tree's journey is possible with the support of presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, and a host of others, including Kenworth Truck Company, Werner Enterprises, Hale Truck and Trailer, Spireon, Verizon Frontline, Society of American Foresters, All Crane & Equipment Rental, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, AHF Products, Great West Casualty Company, Warwood Tool, and LexisNexis VitalChek Network.
"It is going to be dark during the event, so people are encouraged to bring battery operated devices such as necklaces and flashlights," Wood said. "We want everyone to not only be safe, but to also light up the area around the Train Depot."