The Monongahela National Forest was selected to provide the 2023 Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be displayed in Washington this holiday season.
The University community is invited to kick off the holiday season as the 63-foot Norway spruce harvested in Randolph County makes its way through Monongalia County this weekend (Nov. 10 and 11).
An official send-off celebration will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 11) at the Monongalia County Courthouse Square where the tree will be wrapped up and displayed on an extra-long trailer.
Community members will have an opportunity to sign the banner accompanying the tree and purchase Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise.
Attendees can enjoy live music, food trucks, hot chocolate and photos with Santa, and the WVU Extension Monongalia County 4-H team will be on hand with fun STEM activities and giveaways.
The tree will also be displayed at the following locations in Morgantown:
Friday (Nov. 10) from 3-5 p.m. at 84 Lumber in Sabraton
Saturday (Nov. 11) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mylan Park
This summer, WVU Extension 4-Hers, youth and volunteers made thousands of ornaments that will adorn the 60-plus companion trees that will also be delivered and displayed in other Capitol buildings.
Ethan Reese, a Randolph County 4-Her from Beverly Elementary School, is the winner of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest. He will travel to Washington to take part in the official tree lighting ceremony slated for Thursday, Nov. 30.
WVU has been partnering with the City of Morgantown, Main Street Morgantown, the Monongalia County Commission and others to celebrate this special occasion. View more details on the City of Morgantown’s Facebook page.
This is the third time a tree from West Virginia has been selected for this honor.