The caravan transporting the National Christmas Tree to the President’s Park on the Ellipse will stop in Manteca on Tuesday, Nov. 8, to give people the opportunity to sign a banner that will accompany it all the way to Washington, D.C.

The stop - along with one in Oakdale - will allow people to learn about the tree, purchase memorabilia and be a part of the official National Christmas Tree cheer. It will then continue on its journey through California and ultimately to Washington, D.C., where President Obama will turn on the lights during the 89th annual national Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony before a crowd of 17,000 on national TV.

The 65-foot white fir is being harvested from the Stanislaus National Forest that is part of the Tri-Dam Project watershed. Tri-Dam - which is jointly owned by South San Joaquin Irrigation District and Oakdale Irrigation District is funding the $5,000 to harvest, box, and transport the national Christmas tree cross country to Washington, D.C. The box will display a large banner informing passing motorists of the generosity of the two irrigation districts.

If you want to see the tree before it is placed in a special box that keeps its roots moist, you can attend the Four-County “People’s Tree” celebration on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. As many as 10,000 people are expected to attend the festival organized around the tree.

The tree is expected to arrive at the fairgrounds in mid-afternoon on Nov. 5. Celebration participants will have a chance to sign a banner wishing everyone in the United States a Merry Christmas. The celebration will feature holiday-themed arts and crafts activities; live Cajun, bluegrass, and folk music; wine tasting; food; and more than 60 booths that showcase the food, produce, businesses, activities and hospitality of Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.

Those attending will get a chance to hear the first live performance of “Peace, Peace, Peace,” a holiday song co-written by Santa Barbara-based songwriters Kate Wallace and Annie J. Dahlgren. It has been selected as the official song of the 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in a statewide competition.

“It’s a beautiful song that not only reflects the spirit of California, but the spirit of the season,” said Maria Benech, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree coordinator, adding that the song will soon be posted at www.capitolchristmastree2011.org.

After stops in Manteca and Oakdale on Nov. 8 - the headquarters of the two Tri-Dam Project partners underwriting much of the cost of obtaining and shipping the national tree - it will then go to Sacramento on Wednesday, Nov. 10, arriving at 1 p.m. for ceremonies at the State Capitol.

Then on Thursday, Nov. 10, the tree will arrive in Modesto at 10 a.m. Its next stop will be Merced by 2 p.m.

The last three California stops on the 4,000 mile journey from Sonora to Washington, D.C., will take place on Friday, Nov. 11. It will be showcased at 11 a.m. in the Fresno Veterans Day parade and will make a stop at Children’s Hospital in Madera at about 2 p.m. Its final stop is in Kingsburg between 4 and 5 p.m. that day.



Visit www.capitolchristmastree2011.org for more information about the nation’s Christmas tree and related events.