The United States’ Capitol Christmas Tree will be welcomed for the first time in Nashville, with a Music City-style celebration as the tree makes its way from the White Mountains of Arizona to Washington, D.C.
Gaylord Opryland Resort will help mark this historic event as part of its A Country Christmas celebration on Nov. 24, from 5–6:30 p.m. with a full one-hour show that is open to the public and includes performers from across the musical spectrum. Following the program, the Capitol Tree team will post a banner for signing by the public that will be presented to Congress when the tree is erected in Washington and children will be able to climb up to the tree viewing area to get a closer look and to touch it.
The Capitol Christmas Tree, also known as The People’s Tree, is the much celebrated holiday tradition at the nation’s capital that comes from a different location each year. The massive 85-foot blue spruce is stopping overnight in Nashville at Gaylord Opryland Resort for viewing by the public. It will be on display only during the hours of 5-6:30 p.m. on Nov. 24, near the resort’s Magnolia Lawn.
Television and radio celebrity hosts Lorianne Crooke and Charlie Chase will emcee the program which will include:
- Louise Mandrell, the beloved country music artist currently starring in Louise Mandrell’s Joy to the World Christmas Dinner and Show, which is part of A Country Christmas.
- Emily West: Capitol Records Nashville’s hot country music artist roster is heating up even more with the addition of their newest star - Emily West. Ms. When West takes the stage it's nothing short of fireworks.
- Nashville Children’s’ Choir: A regional choir program for young singers, ages eight through 14, the Nashville Children's Choir is committed to the rehearsal and performance of quality choral music in a positive and affirming setting. The choir is in residence at Belmont University and is part of the Belmont Academy , a pre-college music program.
- Take 6’s Claude McKnight: Mr. McKnight a member and the founder of the Grammy and Dove Award winning contemporary Christian group Take 6. Mr. McKnight will perform the national anthem.
- The Joe Zelek band. A hot, up and coming country cross-over band. “The Joe Zelek Band's new project deftly walks the Country-Pop line, with memorable songs, soaring harmonies and more hooks than a tackle box!" Frank Bell, VP of Programming Radio Pittsburgh.
- Mt. Zion Baptist Choir: The Voices of Zion has been featured on three Praise & Worship Recordings entitled Worship in His Presence, Praise in His Presence, and Shout in the Spirit. Most recently, the choir partnered with Aaron Neville on “A Change Is Gonna Come” on the Grammy-nominatedpProject Oh Happy Day.
Representative Jim Cooper will be a part of the celebration. The Air National Guard and the Boy Scouts of America will also participate in this dynamic and patriotic holiday program.
“Gaylord Opryland Resort, with its world-renowned A Country Christmas celebration, seemed like the perfect place to stop to display this magnificent tree that is Arizona ’s gift to the nation,” said Rick Davalos, Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 Coordinator.
“We hope schools and families and visitors from all over Tennessee and Southern Kentucky will come to the resort to enjoy this iconic and historic event.”
The tree is called “ Arizona ’s Gift to the United States Capitol.” It is from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests of Arizona and is taller than a seven-story building.
“Gaylord Opryland Resort is honored to have been chosen as one of the few sites in the nation to host the Capitol Christmas Tree as it makes its way to Washington , D.C. ,” said Pete Weien, senior vice president and general manager, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
“We hope everyone in Music City comes out to see the tree and to enjoy the entertainment we are planning that will reflect our tradition of providing the most exceptional holiday entertainment in the nation through our A Country Christmas shows and attractions.”
To learn more about the Capitol Christmas Tree, go to http://capitolchristmastree2009.org/route.php.
Organizers, "And don’t miss the exciting A Country Christmas experiences at Gaylord Opryland including ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas, a colorful, larger-than-life ice sculpture world telling the story of Charlie Brown and his friends; Breakfast with Charlie Brown; the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the world-famous Rockettes; Louise Mandrell’s ‘Joy to the World’ Christmas Dinner and Show; two new holiday shows onboard The General Jackson Showboat; A Country Christmas Delta River Cruises on Opryland’s indoor river; The Brightest Star Fountain Show free nightly; Carriage Rides, the Outdoor Nativity Display; Winter Wonderland with six different attractions, including Photos with Santa and Treasures for the Holidays Crafts Show; and the swingin' sounds of the free Rockabilly Christmas. shows, complete with a live band, dancing girls and Santa's lost sleigh.
To purchase tickets or book A Country Christmas room packages, go to www.ChristmasatGaylordOpryland.com or www.gaylordopryland.com or call 888 999-OPRY.