U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree makes a stop at Bodie Island, Fort Raleigh

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree made a stop at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and paid a brief visit to the Bodie Island Lighthouse before heading north to its final D.C. destination, where it’s expected to arrive on November 18.

The 78-foot-tall tree was harvested on November 2 from the Pisgah National Forest, and this is the first time that the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has paid a visit to the Outer Banks since 1998.

Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. After a tree is selected and harvested, it is then loaded on a truck and driven nearly 1,000 miles, stopping along the way at a series of outdoor community celebrations before reaching Washington, D.C.

Festivities during the tree’s visit to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Sunday included remarks by public officials, a performance by the Manteo Elementary School Choir, activities and ornament-making with over 15 local partner organizations, and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The visit to the Bodie Island Lighthouse was short and took place on Monday morning, per the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

For U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree news and tour information, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com. Track the tree from the National Forests in North Carolina to the U.S. Capitol beginning Nov. 5 at www.capitoltreetracker.com.