Capitol Hill Celebrates Holiday Spirit with Tree Lighting and Gingerbread Capitol
WASHINGTON — The holiday season officially commenced on Capitol Hill this week, highlighted by the ceremonial lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree and the unveiling of a stunning gingerbread replica of the U.S. Capitol.
On Tuesday evening, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Alaska congressional delegation illuminated the majestic 80-foot Sitka spruce on the West Front lawn. Harvested from the Tongass National Forest, the tree symbolizes the beauty of Alaska, with Sen. Dan Sullivan noting, “It’s a magical time of year, and for us Alaskans, this is a slice of home.” The installation was a feat of logistics, with the tree navigating a 752-mile journey by sea and over 4,000 miles by truck, overseen by Teamster truckers who accomplished this massive delivery.
At the ceremony, fourth-grader Rose Burke, winner of an essay contest, read her winning piece "Alaska’s Christmas Tree" before helping Johnson activate the colorful lights illuminating the tree, which is adorned with thousands of homemade ornaments crafted by Alaskan students. The tree will be lit daily from sunset until 11 p.m. through January 1, continuing a cherished tradition since 1964.
In the Cannon House Office Building, the holiday festivities continued with the eighth annual gingerbread replica of the U.S. Capitol. The theme this year, “United in Bloom,” features over 350 sugar flowers representing each state. Created by a team of six culinary professionals led by executive chef Fred Johnson III, the gingerbread structure weighs about 125 pounds. Displayed in the rotunda, it showcases intricate designs and is entirely edible. As the holidays approach, both the Capitol tree and gingerbread model embody the festive spirit of the season.
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Photo credit georgiarecorder.com