JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Team Andrews members spread yuletide cheer as the 88-foot tall Capitol Christmas Tree arrived here Nov. 24.
The Engelmann Spruce traveled more than 5,000 miles across the country from the Newport Ranger District of the Colville National Forest in Washington state and made its final stop here before its decorated and put up for display at the U.S. Capitol Building's west lawn.
After it arrives at the capitol, the tree will be decorated with thousands of ornaments, handcrafted by Washingtonians to reflect this year's theme, "Sharing Washington's Good Nature," which highlights the state's historical, cultural, and natural beauty.
The Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit by Speaker of the House John A. Boehner during a ceremony on Dec. 3 on the Capitol's West Front Lawn at 5 p.m.
The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. The tree will be lit from night fall until 11 p.m. each evening through January 1, 2014.