This Veteran’s Day, Monday the 12th (the Federal holiday, I know the actual day was yesterday), the Les Schwab Amphitheater will be hosting a celebration for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree which is coming to town:

For just the second time in more than 50 years, Oregon has been selected to provide the Capitol Christmas Tree – affectionately known as “The People’s Tree” – for the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This majestic noble fir is traveling more than 3,000 miles east from the Willamette National Forest to Washington, D.C. and will make a stop in Bend at the Old Mill District. To celebrate, Father Christmas will fly in via helicopter and Smokey the Bear will arrive on a vintage USFS Fire Truck. During the two-hour special event, there will also be arts and crafts stations, ornament-making booths, hot chocolate, cider, cookies, and other family-friendly activities during this special event.

This all takes place from 11am to 1pm today.

The Old Mill District has a blog post detailing more about the Capitol Tree, which was sourced from the Willamette National Forest. It will stop at more than 25 communities across the country as it travels east towards Washington, D.C.

(Photo courtesy of the Old Mill District.)