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his December the eyes of the
nation will be focused on Colorado, particularly Walsenburg and Trinidad. Our
towns will bask in the limelight as the Millennium Holiday Tree makes a stop on
its way to Washington, DC. |
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It's our opportunity to honor Colorado's splendor and share
our state's natural beauty with the rest of the nation. Since 1965 our country's
national forests have shared their beauty with all Americans by supplying a
Christmas tree to be displayed in our nation's Capitol during the holidays. This
year a 65-foot blue spruce from the Pike National Forest, near Woodland Park,
Colorado, was selected to grace the west lawn of the United States Capitol in
Washington, DC for the millennium holiday season. The tree will be decorated
with 4,000 handmade ornaments created by Colorado's 4th grade students with a
theme of Colorado History.
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Woodland Park, to placement on the Capitol lawn December 4th, to the national
lighting ceremony on December 13th, there will be national news coverage of the
tree's journey along the Santa Fe Trail. Before its arrival in our nation's
Capitol, the tree will stop in eleven Colorado communities including Trinidad
and Walsenburg. Both communities are busy planning their very own celebrations
(see schedule of events at right). Local residents will be invited to
participate and sign a giant holiday card which will travel with the tree and be
displayed in Washington. |
La Veta resident & Colorado's Millennium Tree Artist,
Kathy Hill
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As part of the program, 64 small companion trees will
accompany the large spruce, one representing each Colorado county. These smaller
trees will be placed in the offices at the Capitol building with a tag attached,
each telling a story about the host community.
Millennium Tree, continued pg. 4
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Local events surrounding the Millennium Tree
visit to Huerfano and Las Animas counties:
Huerfano County:
When: Sunday, Nov. 26th, 8-10amWhere: South side of Martin Lake at Lathrop State
Park. The event is free and no park pass is required. Activities: Breakfast
sponsored by Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce with music by Oress DeHerrera
and 14-year old Sarah Pacheco. Scrappy Ladies Quilt Guild hold a quilt raffle
with proceeds to benefit the dialysis center at the Huerfano Medical Clinic.
Millennium Holiday Tree artist Kathy Hill will be there for a signing, and other
groups participating in the program include area school children, 4-H Clubs,
Indian tribes, state park officials and various dignitaries.
Las Animas County:
When: Sunday, Nov. 26th, 10:30-1pmWhere: A parade of floats, school bands &
cheerleaders will usher the tree down West Main to the Bloom & Baca Houses
where a community celebration will take place. Area clubs & organizations
will sell concessions, while TSJC singers and children's groups will perform.
Senator Wayne Allard and Mayor Sayre will speak. Community members will be
invited to sign the giant tree card, and Santa Claus will appear. Downtown
merchants are open after the ceremonies and a cash door prize will be awarded by
visiting participating stores. |
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