MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST, W. Va., Nov. 2, 2023 - The 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 63-foot-tall Norway Spruce, was harvested yesterday, Nov. 1, from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. A Kenworth 100th Anniversary T680 Signature Edition, sporting a newly installed graphics wrap, will soon transport the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.
The Capitol Christmas Tree Tour will officially begin on Nov. 4 with a special celebration in Elkins, West Virginia, home to the headquarters of the Monongahela National Forest. It will conclude Nov. 17, when the tree, named “wa’feem’tekwi” by the Shawnee Tribe, is delivered to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. The name means “bright tree” in the Shawnee language and is pronounced phonetically ‘wa thame tech we”.
“Endlessly Wild & Wonderful,” is this year’s tour theme and the message is prominently displayed on the truck’s driver and passenger sides. The design also features the U.S. Capitol Building, U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, and a background of the sunset overlooking the Monongahela National Forest.
Werner Enterprises is the official designated carrier for the 2023 tour. Werner, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is one of the largest providers of transportation services in North America and employs more than 14,000 associates and operates nearly 8,300 trucks and 30,000 trailers. The company selected drivers Jesus Davila and Tim Dean for the honor of transporting the special tree.
Davila and Dean will drive the T680 Signature Edition equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles to a full slate of community celebrations en route to the nation’s capital.
Werner Enterprises will also deliver thousands of handmade ornaments made by West Virginians along with smaller trees for military families stationed at Joint Base Andrews.
“The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a national treasure and Kenworth is proud to assist with the transportation effort for the 10th consecutive year,” said Jim Walenczak, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “We look forward to seeing this special tree all lit up at the nation’s capital this holiday season.”
Below is the full 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour public schedule:
- Nov. 4: Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Elkins, WV
- Nov. 5: Downtown Summersville, Summersville, WV
- Nov. 6: Mitchell Chevrolet, Marlinton, WV
- Nov. 7: Tamarack Marketplace, WV
- Nov. 8: High Lawn Elementary School, Huntington, WV
- Nov. 9: White Palace at Wheeling Park, Wheeling, WV
- Nov. 10: 84 Lumber, Morgantown, WV
- Nov. 11: Mylan Park (a.m. event) and West Virginia University (p.m. event), Morgantown, WV
- Nov. 12: Swilled Dog/Raymond’s Gymnastic Center, Upper Tract, WV
- Nov. 13: Davis Yard, Davis, WV
- Nov. 14: WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Romney, WV
- Nov. 15: Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Nov. 17: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
For more information, visit the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com. Kenworth Truck Company, founded in 1923, is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Throughout 2023, Kenworth is celebrating its historic 100th anniversary. To learn more about the 100th anniversary celebration visit www.kenworth100.com. Kenworth is “Driving the Next 100 Years.” Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.