U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Visit North Carolina Zoo During 2022 Tour

ASHEBORO, N.C. (Nov. 7, 2022) – 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 National Forests in North Carolina, in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors, will bring the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Pisgah Forest to Washington, D.C., including a special appearance at the North Carolina Zoo Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The 78-foot-tall Red Spruce was harvested from the Pisgah National Forest in early November and prepared for the nearly 1,000-mile expedition. The journey will include a series of outdoor community celebrations before being delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 18, where it will be decorated with handmade ornaments and tree skirts specially created by North Carolinians.

Festivities during the tree’s visit to the North Carolina Zoo on Nov. 10 will include remarks by Zoo and public officials, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and hot cocoa and cookies. The event will be in the North America Parking Lot by Solar Pointe picnic area and is free to the public (but does not include free admission to the Zoo).

“We are honored that the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will visit the North Carolina Zoo on its journey from North Carolina to Washington, D.C.,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Deputy Secretary Jeff Michael. “Visiting the North Carolina Zoo is a family tradition at any time of year, but we are thrilled to add the joy of hosting the ‘People’s Tree’ to inspire our guests for the upcoming holiday season.

“We are beyond grateful for the host cities who play such a vital role in bringing the tree across the country,” said James Melonas, Forest Supervisor, National Forests in North Carolina.
 

For more information on the North Carolina Zoo event, visit https://www.nczoo.org/experiences/events

For news, events, and tour information, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com, along with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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About the North Carolina Zoo

At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.

About the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development. 

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 814-6800 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.