Category: Holidays and Observances

Copyright ©2025 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.

This year for the first time in Nevada’s history a tree from The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will be traveling to Washington, D.C, and the United States Capitol Building to be The People’s Tree aka The National Christmas Tree.

The tree is named “Silver Belle”. She’s 53 feet tall (1.615.44 cm) and it’s a Red Fir tree.

After she was harvested she was taken to get ready for her journey across the country. There she was decorated, and placed in a special trailer that will be driven to Washington, D.C. She made her first stop in Carson City on November 1, 2025 in the Nevada Day Parade. There are windows so you can see just the top of the tree.

Since early summer Nevadans have been making ornaments for National Christmas Tree. I heard the call was made for 10,000 ornaments, and Nevada delivered and more! The extra ornaments will be used on companion trees that will be placed in other Federal Buildings.

While getting the National Christmas Tree ready they made a tree cookie and discovered the tree is 50 years old, has a 20 inch diameter, and 16 inch crown spread.

After the National Christmas Tree left the parade the truck and National Forest Park Rangers made their way down the street to the Toyota Dealership where the tree was on display for 3 hours. We were able to sign the banner, take photos, and see Smokey the Bear.

A tree skirt depicting all 17 Nevada counties was made. I have to show you in four parts as it’s so large and not laying flat.

I have several favorite panels on the tree skirt. Douglas, of course it’s my county, and it’s full of stars. I also like Eureka, Pershing, and Washoe’s panels a lot. I’m not sure if this will be on the lawn under the tree or in a building under one of the companion trees? Most likely indoors.

The truck and National Christmas Tree will be making its way across the country making 13 stops along the way. You can sign the banner, buy official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merch, take loads of photos, and learn more about Nevada’s National forest. Here’s the list of scheduled stops.

Saturday, Nov. 1- Nevada Day Parade, Carson City, Nevada

Sunday, Nov. 2- Lovelock, and Elko, Nevada

Monday, Nov. 3- Ely, Nevada

Tuesday, Nov. 4- Las Vegas, Nevada

Friday, Nov. 7- Flagstaff, Arizona

Saturday, Nov. 8- Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sunday, Nov. 9- Amarillo, Texas

Monday, Nov. 10- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tuesday, Nov. 11- Lenexa, Kansas

Wednesday, Nov. 12- St. Louis, Missouri

Friday, Nov. 14- Paducah, Kentucky

Saturday, Nov. 15- Lexington, Kentucky

Thursday, Nov. 20- Joint Base Andrews, Maryland

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative began in 1964. One of the 154 national forests provide a tree to serve as the Nation’s Christmas Tree.

This is the first time in the program’s history that a tree has been selected from the Humboldt-Toyabe forest.

It’s pretty neat that Nevada was chosen this year and I was able to see it and be there for its first leg of the historic journey to Washington, D.C.

If you’re near or in one of the cities it will stop I hope you are able to see it too. All events are free and open to the public.

Notes- It’s really cool that the National Park Service worked so hard during the shutdown to make sure the National Christmas Tree got to the West Lawn.

I blurred the faces of a lot people in the background of several images because there were kids, and people who may not want to be included in my blog post. I hope you didn’t find it too distracting.

Information gleaned from the Official 2025 Nevada Day Program| NevadaDay.com

Have a great week-end!

more to come…