

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree passed through Tonasket on Wednesday, Nov. 6, to the delight of much of the Tonasket School
District students, who lined the hill along SR-20 to catch a glimpse of the caravan on its way to Washington, D.C. This year’s tree grew on the Newport District of the U.S. National Forest in Pend Oreille County. According to the tree’s official website, it was wrapped over a period of three days and will be visiting communities across the country before arriving in Washington in time for Thanksgiving.
The tree stopped in Republic for a ceremony and was later on display in Wenatchee that evening. Last year, a group of Tonasket fourth graders made Christmas ornaments made from Mt. St. Helens ash that were traveling with the tree, as well as companion trees that will be designated for offices around the capitol.