FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOV. 19, 1997

CONTACTS: Pat Momich
National Forests in North Carolina
704-257-4266

Julie Trzeciak
National Forests in North Carolina
704-257-4201


EVENT HONORS NC'S SELECTION
FOR PROVIDING 1998 CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE

In 1998, North Carolina will provide the Christmas tree that will decorate the west lawn of the nation's capitol.
To celebrate this honor, this year's Capitol Christmas Tree will make a stop in Asheville as it makes its way from South Dakota to Washington, D.C. In a ceremony held in City County Plaza on Sunday at 1 p.m., South Dakota‹the provider of this year's tree‹ will officially pass the honor of providing next year's tree to North Carolina.

The 60-foot spruce from the South Dakota's Black Hills National Forest will be on display aboard a truck donated by the Mack Trucking Company. Asheville's New Day singers and Smokey Bear will offer entertainment. Refreshments will be provided.

Every year since 1965 a Christmas tree has stood in front of the Capitol. The tree, sometimes called "The People's Tree" is lit by the speaker of the house. This year's lighting ceremony is Dec. 10.

Since 1970, national and state forests supplied the trees. The 1998 tree will come from a national forest in North Carolina. National and state forests compete for the honor every year.

The National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, North Carolina Office of Environmental Education, the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, and Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association is sponsoring the Asheville event.

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