Nation’s holiday tree to make Spokane stop

The nation’s capitol holiday tree, a Pacific silver fir cut from the forests of the Olympic Peninsula, will be hauled into downtown Spokane this afternoon and parked along West Main Avenue between Lincoln and Post streets on its way to the other Washington.

A brief send-off ceremony is planned at 5:30 p.m.

The event is being used as a kickoff to the city’s 125-year anniversary celebration, which runs through Nov. 29.

This is the first time that the capitol holiday tree has been taken from the state of Washington, in a tradition that dates back to 1964. The 65-foot tree is to be decorated with 10,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments fashioned by schoolchildren from across Washington, tree sponsors said.

“After a brief cutting ceremony in early November, the tree will be taken on a festive road tour through communities all around the state,” according to the organization’s Web site (at www.capitolchristmastree2006.org/).

National Van Lines and Fontaine Trailer are in charge of delivery, which will be accomplished with a specially-designed, expandable trailer to handle the tree’s length.

Also on Friday, the city will be displaying contents of a 25-year time capsule held at City Hall since the city’s 1981 centennial celebration. The items were recently removed from a vault and will be at the Chase Gallery in the lower level of City Hall.

On Nov. 25, the city will hold an “Amazing Race through Spokane History” from noon to 4 p.m. in downtown Spokane. The race starts at City Hall and will be themed to the city’s history.

That evening, the city’s holiday tree on the south side of Riverfront Park near the Carrousel will be lighted, along with a fireworks display.

On Nov. 29, an official 125th birthday party will be held in the Riverside Room of the new Convention Center from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will include music, food and tours of the new facility.