Murphy – Town officials are pleased to announce that, despite his busy season, Santa Claus will travel from the North Pole to meet local children and view the Capitol Christmas Tree from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, as part of the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour.
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Murphy was chosen as the commencement spot for this year’s “Mountain to Sea” Capitol Christmas Tree Tour that begin Nov. 5 deep in the Pisgah National Forest. where Ruby, a 78-foot tall red spruce, has been honored among her peers to represent North Carolina on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capital in Washington.
Ruby will arrive with full escort in Murphy, where she will open her festive tour across 14 communities in North Carolina and two more in Virginia before settling into her esteemed place at the Capital on Friday, Nov. 18.
“In North Carolina, we always hear that our state stretches from Murphy to Manteo, and this tour will follow that path,” said Laura LaChance, downtown development director for the town. “This is particularly special because both Murphy and Manteo are new Main Street Communities this year.”
The town invites the public to view the tree and sign the Christmas card on the truck’s side on Nov. 6 at the Cherokee County Courthouse.
“During the event, members of the community can sign a Christmas card to the tree that will be displayed on the side of the truck,” Lachance said. “This Christmas card will accompany the tree all the way to Washington, D.C. There will also be selfie spots set up alongside of the tree for well-wishers to remember the event.”
There might even be a chance to become famous.
“A filming crew from Manteo will be visiting Murphy the day of this event to chronicle the tree’s journey across the state,” LaChance added.
The celebration will include Christmas caroling, children’s activities, food trucks and a “walk” through an interactive display of the four national forests in North Carolina to learn about each forest’s ecosystems and employees. Santa will not be the only celebrity present as Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear confirmed with LaChance their intention to meet Ruby and the children at the extravaganza.
“We are looking forward to treating the community to an old-fashioned Christmas at this event,” LaChance said, “culminating in the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree with new ornaments purchased with a generous community
donation.”
In September, Christy Adams of the N.C. Forest Service announced that the national forests in North Carolina received 7,500 handmade ornaments and tree skirts, created by North Carolinians to dazzle Ruby, “The People’s Tree,” once she arrives to the West Lawn at the Capital.
The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.TownofMurphyNC.com for details about the event and uscapitolchristmastree.com for news, events and tour information. Peachtree Street and Valley River Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic during this time to accommodate all of the festivities.