On Oct. 25, the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree began its 3,300-mile journey from the Mad River Ranger District of the Six Rivers National Forest in California to Washington, D.C., where it will be displayed in front of the nation’s Capitol building during this holiday season.
System Transport transported the 84-ft White Fir, nicknamed “Sugar Bear,” in a Kenworth T680 Next Generation and arrived in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 19. Throughout its journey, the tree made many stops along the way so the country could celebrate the annual tradition.
For six System Transport drivers, the opportunity to transport the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was an experience of a lifetime.
“Christmas has always been such a special holiday to me and my family, so to spread the holiday cheer throughout the country was truly an honor,” said Jeremy Bellinger, who has driven three million miles over the course of his 21-year career with System Transport. “I’ve been involved in transporting equipment to British Columbia for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and have hauled utility poles in response to wildfires in California, but being one of the drivers responsible for transporting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is truly the highlight of my career.”
The community celebrations along the journey took place from Oct. 29—Nov. 16 throughout California and across the U.S., with the official tree lighting to come on the West Lawn on Dec. 1. Smaller companion trees also were provided to decorate offices inside of the U.S. Capitol building and other sites throughout Washington, D.C., along with 15,000 handmade ornaments created by Californians.
Head to the gallery to get an inside look at Sugar Bear's trek across the country.
