Kenworth announced that it’s truck will transport the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn using its T680 truck. The T680 has been specially wrapped to showcase the journey with the theme, “Where Nature, People, and Tradition Come Together.” The theme is reflected in the truck’s custom design, celebrating Alaska’s Tongass and Chugach National Forests.
The Journey
The journey began on October 26 in Wrangell, Alaska, with a tree-harvesting celebration, followed by the first “Whistlestop” event in Ketchikan. Afterward, the tree and its trailer will be loaded onto an Alaska Marine Lines barge for transport to Seattle, Washington. From Seattle, the “People’s Tree” will travel over 4,000 miles across the U.S., stopping at community events along the way at parks, plazas, schools, and memorials before reaching Washington, D.C., on November 22.
Real-time GPS tracking, powered by Kenworth’s TruckTech+ technology, will allow people to follow the tree’s progress online. The official carrier for this year’s journey is Lynden, an Alaska-based transportation company. Longtime Lynden drivers Fred Austin and John Schank, who collectively have driven over 10 million accident-free miles, will transport the tree. This will be Schank’s second time handling the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, following his experience in 2015 when Alaska last provided the tree for the Capitol.
About the Truck
The T680 truck features a PACCAR Powertrain with a PACCAR MX-13 engine, delivering 455 horsepower, along with advanced driver amenities, including a 76-inch sleeper with a rotating worktable, microwave, fridge, and fully heated and cooled GT703 leather seats. Safety features include Kenworth’s Digital Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist.
“Kenworth is honored to provide the truck transporting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the 11th year,” said Kevin Haygood, assistant general manager for sales and marketing at Kenworth said in its news release on October 22. “Being part of this coast-to-coast celebration is something we look forward to each year.”
The Public Tour and Ceremony
The tree will be displayed at a lighting ceremony in early December, hosted by the Architect of the Capitol and the U.S. Speaker of the House. This is not to be confused with the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony that is hosted by the National Park Service. More details about the event are available on the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website.
The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour public schedule:
– Oct. 30: Alaska Marine Highway Terminal, Ketchikan, Alaska
– Nov. 6: Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, Renton, Wash.
– Nov. 8: Baker County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Baker City, Ore.
– Nov. 9: The Pocatello Veterans Day Parade, Pocatello, Idaho
– Nov. 9: Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation’s Wheeler Historic Farm, Murray, Utah
– Nov. 10: Cabela’s, Grand Junction, Colo.
– Nov. 11: The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, Colo.
– Nov. 13: Gene Leahy Mall at The Landing at The RiverFront, Omaha, Neb.
– Nov. 16: Parkview Field, Fort Wayne, Ind.
– Nov. 17: Center of Science and Industry, Columbus, Ohio
– Nov. 19: The Maryland Theater, Hagerstown, Md.
– Nov. 21: Andrews Theater, Joint Base Andrews, Md. (*base access only)
– Nov. 22: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
About Kenworth
Founded in 1923, Kenworth designs and manufactures top-tier heavy- and medium-duty trucks. A leader in sustainable and connected truck technology, Kenworth, a PACCAR company, strives to create solutions for a better world. Learn more at www.kenworth.com.