The tree, a 60-foot Balsam fir, will be cut from the Green Mountain National Forest from somewhere in Bennington County later this year and shipped to Washington, D.C., to stand at the Capitol. Along with the Capitol tree, about 3,000 ornaments and 80 additional smaller trees will be shipped to Washington for various dignitaries.
But planning, transporting the trees and hosting the reception costs money, says Joann Erenhouse, director of the Bennington Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is handling the logistics on behalf of the state.
Christmas in July
Erenhouse said a Christmas in July event, which will bring white LED holiday lights to Bennington's downtown buildings, will hopefully draw attention to the state's Capitol tree and help spur donations.
The chamber does not need town approval to organize businesses to install the planned white LED lights, said Bennington Town Manager Stuart A. Hurd, but the town is supporting the efforts.
"We're going to be starting to attach LED lighting to all of the exteriors of the buildings downtown. The goal is to give it a Christmas feel beginning in July," said Hurd.
The lights, which are energy efficient and
She said she is not worried that residents will be affronted by the Christmas lights, banners and trees being displayed so long before the traditional holiday season. "Everybody loves the white lights. If you go to Bethesda, Md., the whole town is lit up in white lights all year around. It's very beautiful," she said. It looks very charming and looks very welcoming and that's what we're trying to get across."
Both Hurd and Erenhouse said they are hoping to have small trees dot the downtown landscape during the fall and winter as well.
"In the fall when we would normally be taking in the planters ... the chamber will be putting out small trees in the downtown," he said. "You'll really be getting the idea that this is about trees."
According to Erenhouse, last year's host and National Christmas Tree provider, the state of Washington, spent well over $100,000 dollars.
Erenhouse is not expecting Vermont to spend as much, but said organizers are hoping to receive assistance from communities and businesses throughout the entire state, not just Bennington County.
"We did get some money from the Legislature, but this reception is going to be an enormous project for us and we really do need some major sponsors," she said.
The town may also help to raise awareness of the Capitol Tree, said Hurd.
"We may be adding some new banners highlighting the event," he said.
The state has previously supplied the Capitol Tree four times, in 1967, 1980, 1982 and 1994.
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