The holidays are coming, and it’s time for another season of heart-warming traditions—the kind that seem magical. In Downtown Fort Wayne, you can find a landscape full of festivities to make traditions out of. There’s Night of Lights, Festival of Trees, Holly Shopping, ice skating at Headwaters, decor galore—you name it!
There’s no shortage of local holiday traditions, but there’s a national tradition that you might not know about, and it’s coming our way!
Every year since 1970, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, selects the annual U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Each year a different national forest is selected to provide a tree to appear in D.C. for the holiday season. The selected tree goes on a trek throughout the country with celebratory events and community pitstops along the way.
This year’s tree is an 80-foot Sitka spruce from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, and on its route from Alaska to the Capitol, it will be stopping in Downtown Fort Wayne on November 16 for a fun-filled event at the Parkview Field entrance at Ewing and Brackenridge.
Here’s what to expect:
- Musical performances from Salvation Army Brass Band, Grace College’s ‘Brother in Harmony’ choral group, Snider High School Choir, Three Rivers Music Theatre, and Heartland Sings!
- An official ornament presentation and proclamations from city, county, and state representatives
- A visit and photos with Santa
- Non-profit hosted family-friendly activities
The tree will arrive at 4:30 p.m. and depart at 6:30 p.m. From there, the tree will continue its journey to the Capitol Building, where a team from the AOC will decorate the tree with carefully curated adornments, preparing it for public enjoyment all season long.
On the local level, this event was made possible by Rudy Mahara Sr., owner of Rudy’s Cigar Shop, whose son-in-law works for the Department of Forestry in Alaska where the tree was harvested. When you’re enjoying the free family-friendly festivities on Saturday, consider stopping by the shop (21+) to thank Rudy!
Come celebrate this national time-honored tradition!
Details:
Saturday, November 16 ┃ 4-7pm
Parkview Field
1301 Ewing St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
To learn more about the U.S. Capitol Tree or to track its whereabouts, visit: uscapitolchristmastree.com
Molly Conner is a Fort Wayne native and freelance writer. Having lived in Downtown Fort Wayne throughout her twenties, she loves watching her stomping grounds grow. With her love of storytelling and community in tow, she’s eager to tell Downtown Fort Wayne’s story piece-by-piece—exploring the people, spaces, and organizations that make it thrive.