Romney, WV-October 9, 2023 – Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. The Monongahela National Forest, in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors and presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, will bring the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from West Virginia to Washington, D.C., including a special appearance in Romney on November 14, 2023, 10:30 a.m., WV Schools for the Deaf & the Blind.
The 63-foot-tall Norway spruce will be harvested on the Monongahela National Forest in early November. The journey will include a series of outdoor community celebrations before being delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 17, where it will be decorated with handmade ornaments specially created by West Virginians.
The celebration will kick off with official remarks from Romney Mayor Beverly Keadle and Special Guest Nikki Bowman Mills. Mills, a West Virginia native, is the founder and owner of New South Media, which publishes the critically acclaimed WV Living, WV Weddings, Explore, and Morgantown magazines. In January 2015, her company also took over the editorial and design of Wonderful West Virginia magazine. She graduated from West Virginia University and received her master’s degree in Writing from DePaul University in Chicago.
The celebration during the tree’s visit to Romney on November 14 will feature a variety of activities:
- Art for All, presented by The River House
- Enchanting Holiday Tales with Adam Booth, Storyteller
- Enjoy delicious hot cocoa served by the Hampshire County CEOs
- Participate in a toy drive for the HC Sheriff’s Office
- Contribute to a food drive to support local families in need
- Delight in festive tunes and caroling performed by WVSDB Students, Harmony Show Choir, The Cat & The Fiddle Music School, the Hampshire High School Band & the Honeybee Community Choir.
- Explore community booths from organizations like the Hampshire County Arts Council, Hampshire County Co-Op & Heritage Marketplace, Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad/North Pole Express, WV Youth DEP, Hampshire County Community Foundation, Hampshire County CEOs and the GFWC of Romney.
“We feel deeply privileged that the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will be making a stop in Hampshire County on its way to Washington, D.C.,” shared Tina Ladd, Executive Director of Hampshire County CVB. “Our entire community is eagerly anticipating the chance to be a part of this national gift and the happiness it will bring to our local community this holiday season.”
This event is free and open to the public.
The tree’s journey is possible with the generous support of presenting sponsor 84 Lumber along with Kenworth Truck Company, Werner Enterprises, Hale Truck and Trailer, Spireon, WCHS ABC 8/FOX 11, Verizon Frontline, Society of American Foresters, All Crane & Equipment Rental, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, AHF Products, Bruce®, Armstrong Flooring™ and Robbins® flooring brands, Great West Casualty Company, Warwood Tool, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc. and more.
The top priority is the safety of tour staff, event attendees, and the tree; local public health guidelines will be followed. We ask the public to be aware of the large truck’s substantial blind spots, wide turns, and longer stopping distances on our roads as they welcome the tree to their communities.
For more information on the Romney event, visit ComeToHampshire.com. For news, events, and tour information, visit uscapitolchristmastree.com, @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and @uscapitolchristmastree on Instagram, and @MonongahelaNF on Facebook.
