U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour dates, locations announced

A Kenworth T680 Next Generation operated by Hardy Brothers Trucking will transport the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the National Forests in North Carolina to Washington, D.C., with stops en route to a full slate of community celebrations.

This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree – a 78-foot tall Red Spruce – is scheduled to be harvested Nov. 2 from the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. The tour theme is “From the Mountains to the Sea.”

Hardy Brothers Trucking was chosen to transport the tree. Founded in 1965, the Siloam, North Carolina-based company has more than 100 dedicated drivers and 55 Kenworth trucks – including 11 T680 Next Generation models – pulling refrigerated trailers and hauling freight from coast to coast. 

“We’re honored to receive this special opportunity to carry the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on its journey to Washington, D.C.,” said Eddie Hardy, the company’s president. 

The Hardy Brothers Trucking husband-and-wife driver team of Harold “Ed” Kingdon Jr. and Deborah Z. Kingdon was selected by the company for the honor of transporting the tree. 

The public community celebrations begin Nov. 5. The official tree lighting ceremony on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building is scheduled for Nov. 30. Smaller companion trees also will be provided to decorate offices inside of the U.S. Capitol building and other sites throughout Washington, D.C., along with handmade ornaments created by North Carolinians. 

The 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour public schedule is:

  • Nov. 5: Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Fletcher, North Carolina
  • Nov. 6: Cherokee County Courthouse, Murphy, North Carolina
  • Nov. 6: Oconaluftee Island Park Event Site, Cherokee, North Carolina
  • Nov. 7: Pisgah Forest Ranger Station & Visitor Center, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
  • Nov. 7: Marion Main Street, Marion, North Carolina
  • Nov. 8: Avery County Cooperative Extension Center, Newland, North Carolina
  • Nov. 8: Watauga High School, Boone, North Carolina
  • Nov. 8: Downtown Newton, Newton, North Carolina
  • Nov. 9: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Mount Airy, North Carolina
  • Nov. 9: Troy Town Hall, Troy, North Carolina
  • Nov. 10: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Carolina
  • Nov. 11: North Carolina Veteran's Home, Kinston, North Carolina
  • Nov. 12: Union Point Park, New Bern, North Carolina
  • Nov. 13: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo, North Carolina
  • Nov. 14: Suffolk Visitors Center, Suffolk, Virginia
  • Nov. 18: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
  • Nov. 30: Tree Lighting Ceremony, Washington, D.C.