Capitol tree spruces up holiday spirit
LOREN BENOIT/PressJonathan Brandel and his 7-year-old daughter, Audrey, take a selfie next to the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree Friday morning in downtown Coeur d'Alene. The 80-foot Engelmann Spruce is from the Payette National Forest and is the second U.S. Capitol tree from Idaho. The tree will make 15 stops in Idaho, including the Idaho State Capitol in Boise on Monday.
LOREN BENOIT/PressCally Davidson holds her 6-year-old son, Jesse, as he looks at the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree Friday morning in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
Christmas came early to North Idaho.
The U.S. Capitol tree arrived in Coeur d’Alene on Friday morning, and about 1,000 area residents gathered to greet it.
The 80-feet-tall Engelmann spruce started its journey in McCall and is making its way to Washington, D.C., where it will grace the lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building, where Congress assembles. The tree’s 2,000-mile journey includes stops in 25 communities.
“We are fortunate to have it in Coeur d’Alene on Veterans Day to celebrate it and honor our veterans,” said Shoshana Cooper, public information officer for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. “This is so great for the community, it’s like a gift to the nation from the state of Idaho.”
At the start of the tree’s two-hour stay in Coeur d’Alene, Mayor Steve Widmyer spoke about the tree and how it was chosen.
“Finding the perfect trees is a difficult task that was undertaken this year by the Payette Smokejumpers,” he said. “The tree needed to be between 60 and 85 feet tall and have a cylinder shape with rich color and full branches... It is an outstanding representation of the beauty and majesty of our Gem State.”
At the end of his speech, Widmyer thanked everyone for being there and reminded everyone to thank a veteran for Veterans Day.
Families posed in front of the tree and signed the truck hauling it. Kids decorated cookies and ornaments while their parents enjoyed some free coffee. Some people even got a free seedling from the Coeur d’Alene Nursery.
Amanda Miller brought her 2-year-old son, Weston. Weston had on his giant orange sunglasses and had fun not only looking at the tree, but meeting Smokey Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog and Spuddy Buddy the Potato as well.
“Wanted to come see the tree because we just got back from D.C. visiting family, so we get to see tree that will go back there,” Amanda said.
The Capitol tree was accompanied by the Big Idaho Potato Truck. Many kids were disappointed to find the potato wasn’t real, but enjoyed the event all the same. The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department was there, too, letting people look inside one of its fire trucks.
Valerie Ordway said she came to see the tree because she wanted to be part of the celebration.
“It’s nice to see all the signatures [on the truck],” she said. “It’s a way to let [everyone in the Capitol] know we are good here in Idaho and we’re wishing them a merry Christmas and happy New Year.
“We’re proud of Idaho. It’s a beautiful place and the people here are the nicest.”