Day 1: Afton and Evanston

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - The cross-country tour of the 2010 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree began today! After heading out of Jackson, we quickly passed Etna Elementary School where students came outside to see the Tree pass by on our way to Afton. The entire team was thrilled to see all the young students! It was the perfect way to begin our journey.

Students from Etna Elementary School Greet the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.

Afton

Our first stop was in Afton where hundreds of residents and school children showed up to sign the banners accompanying the Tree to Washington, DC and enjoy the music and food! The Rotary of Star Valley was on hand to sell delicious snacks and drinks and Star Valley High School Students performed Christmas songs. Congressman Cynthia Lummis was also there to lend her support. The photos below show the large crowds who showed up in Afton and Congressman Lummis with members of Team Tree!


Students from Star Valley came to sign the banners and enjoy the festivities.

 

Congressman Cynthia Lummis and her husband Al Wiederspahn joined by Team Tree!

Also in Afton, Team Tree had a chance to meet Daniel Sitter of Fairview, Wyoming. Daniel was the lucky student chosen to travel to Washington, DC to light up the Capitol Christmas Tree with the Speaker of the House in December. Below is a picture of Daniel with Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator Mary Cernicek.

NACS Roadside Stop: Afton

After the community celebration in Afton, next up was lunch before we headed to Evanston. The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) is fueling the trucks, and the team, of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree so we stopped into the Maverik store in Afton, the town where the chain was founded in 1928. Daniel Sitter's father, Darren, is manager of network services for Maverik so it was the perfect place for Team Tree to refuel.

Below are photos of our fearless truck drivers Mark and Jeff of Jeff Underwood Trucking fueling up before heading out to Evanston, as well as a photo of the Maverik store in Afton.

Evanston

After lunch we headed out to Evanston where we were greeted by another fantastic celebration - complete with fireworks and an appearance by Woodsy the Owl with the U.S. Forest Service! There was plenty of food and music and a special presentation by Mayor William Davis and the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Davis read a letter from U.S. Senator John Barrasso about the Capitol Christmas Tree, the importance to our state and the celebrations taking place across Wyoming. The Mayor and the Chamber had a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the Tree capped off with a spectacular fireworks display! Thank you Evanston - we loved seeing you all!



Evanston Residents listen in to a special presentation by the Mayor and Chamber of Commerce.



Woodsy the Owl and children from Evanston. Tying in with the Capitol Christmas Tree's ongoing greening efforts, Woodsy's motto is - "Give a hoot — don't pollute!"

Capitol Christmas Tree Merchandise

The Grand Teton Association (GTA) and its many staff members have been hard at work on the Capitol Christmas Tree Project and are in charge of the merchandise available for sale at all Wyoming stops! Check out these photos of Jan, Andra and the team with GTA selling merchandise out of their mobile store in Afton and Evanston. Look for the GTA Trailer when the Tree stops in your town to get t-shirts, mugs, ornaments, posters and much more! All proceeds benefit the 2010 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project.

Andra and Jan in the GTA mobile store.



What a great first day! We can't wait to visit the rest of the state in the coming days!

Signing off with a greeting from a few of Star Valley's youngest residents!