Rarely does a cut tree get the King Tut treatment. But then, it’s the first time in 10 years a tree cut from a California forest is destined for the west lawn at the U.S. Capitol.
“Sugar Bear,” an 84-foot, already-decorated White Fir, arrived as advertised in Vallejo at 3 p.m. Monday, finishing what could be the shortest parade in the city’s history as it followed a handful of Merlin Chestnut-led musicians, vehicles from sponsor A Plus Tree, an Obtainium Works sleigh with Thomas Bilbo as Santa Claus, and police motorcyclists for about five minutes to the front of the ferry entrance.
Roughly 300 people braved the light rain for a glimpse of the heralded “People’s Tree,” snugly encased on a 100-foot trailer and seen through Plexigas.
Before reciting a proclamation, Vice Mayor Rozzana Verder Aliga said she was “excited they picked Vallejo” as one of 27 national stops that began in Eureka and heads to Dixon and Sacramento before motoring east for its 3,500-trip to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
“It’s a good thing, absolutely,” Verder-Aliga said. “It ushers in the holiday season.”
Verder-Aliga said the tree’s local appearance is a positive event and she’ll think that “Vallejo’s been a part of this journey of ‘the People’s Tree’ from the West Coast to the East Cost” when the White Fir is propped up at the Capitol.
Sara Billings, U.S. Forest Service fire management special unit out of the Umpqua National Forest in Southwest Oregon, made the six-hour trip after meeting the tree in Ukiah on Sunday.
As the formal representative for the Forest Service, Billings carried the American flag in the Monday’s mini-parade.
“It is an honor for me,” Billings said. “Being part of the Honor Guard is the greatest honor of my job.”
Involved in five stops, Billings understands the appeal of coming out to see a tree.
“I think with the pandemic going on and everything, this is a way to bring people together and to celebrate something that’s going to our nation’s capitol,” Billings said, adding that there are 25 people that accompany the tree the entire route.
Billings will think “I got to be a part of that” when TV accounts show the tree at the U.S. Capitol.
The Six Rivers National Forest, in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors, orchestrates this year’s tree journey from California to Washington, D.C. for the 2021 holiday season. Many representatives from Six Rivers were on hand Monday.
Congressman Mike Thompson, D. St. Helena, called back to D.C. Monday morning after arriving in his district Friday, couldn’t make the parade and tree appearance but sent a few words via representative Alex Macfarlane.
“It’s to see the People’s Tree make a stop in our district this year,” Thompson said. “The White Fir tree that will decorate the West Lawn of the Capitol this holiday season began its journey in our state and I’m proud to see it make a stop in Vallejo. I look forward to seeing it in our nation’s Capital soon.”
Vallejo Councilmember Tina Arriola was impressed with the turnout despite questionable weather.
“It looks like the Pope is coming to town,” she said.
Visitors interviewed were happy they came out.
“I got really bored and I thought I’d come see this giant Christmas tree,” said Glenn Edwards of Benicia, adding somewhat more seriously, “The appeal, I think more than anything, is that our natural resources needs to be preserved at all cost. It’s good to see the representation from the U.S. Forest Service.”
“It’ll be at the Capitol at Washington, D.C., and we’ll have seen it first,” said Sylvia Amen.
“The fact it’s in Vallejo and it seemed like a nice thing to come down here and hang with everybody else,” added husband Michael Amen.
“I thought I’d come and pay my respects to the tree that gave its life for this and I’m excited that a California tree is going to the Capitol again,” said Joyce “Jet” Kennedy.
“This is a great event to bring out the holiday spirit,” said Mike Browne of VisitVallejo. “There’s a little rain, but it’s not dampening the spirit of those who are here.”
The handful of musicians, alumni from Bethel and Vallejo high schools, only performed a few minutes after two rehearsals. That — and the weather — didn’t damper Chestnut’s spirits.
On the contrary.
“It’s tree-mendous,” he said.
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Rain doesn’t stop parade, Capitol Tree Tour in Vallejo - Vallejo Times-Herald
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