This is pretty exciting, and a once-in-a-lifetime thing:

Dahlonega hosts the Capitol Christmas Tree November 24-25, 2010 on its route from Wyoming to the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.  To commemorate the occasion, Dahlonega is planning a two-day special celebration during the tree’s only official stop before arriving on the Capitol lawn.  The public is invited to welcome the tree to Dahlonega with a Grand Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, November 24th.  The event will be held on the historic square and will feature musical entertainment by Freddie Way, holiday performances, and more. People will also have the opportunity to send their holiday wishes to the nation’s Capitol by signing a huge banner, which will decorate the truck.  The town will be trimmed in full holiday dress, with twinkling lights, holiday garlands, bows and décor from one end of the square to the other, adding to the festive atmosphere. Details are available at www.Dahlonega.org.

The tree will travel on a 115-foot long double flatbed truck.  Placed on its side, it will rest in a custom cradle that supports the branches, preventing damage and maintaining the tree's perfect shape. Due to curvy roads, the truck will have to park a mile away and back all the way into Dahlonega’s town square.  A caravan of approximately 12 vehicles, including two semi-trucks, will escort the tree east, delivering not only a tree taller than a seven-story building, but nearly 10,000 handmade ornaments and 80 companion trees that will be placed in offices throughout the Capitol Complex. The 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree will travel more than 3,000 miles during its three-week journey.  

Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas

The Capitol Christmas Tree’s arrival will kick-off Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas, a month-long celebration that begins on Friday, November 26, 2010 with the Lighting of the Square. Santa will arrive in a real home-town parade on Saturday, December 4th.  Plenty of other festive holiday events will continue almost daily throughout December and will include caroling, entertainment, wine sampling, and live theater Christmas events.

Sleigh Bell Tour

During December, Dahlonega comes alive with numerous holiday celebrations and events.  One of the most popular is the Sleigh Bell Tour, a self-guided driving tour of Dahlonega’s bed and breakfast inns.  This year’s participants include Lily Creek Lodge, Mountain Top Lodge, The Historic Worley B&B Inn, Top of the Square B&B, Long Mountain Lodge, Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa, and Dahlonega Spa Resort. Each is decorated with a unique holiday theme and will feature holiday music and refreshments. The inns are located around the historic square as well as right outside of town.  The tour will take place on December 12 from 1-6 p.m. and will cost $12.  For more information on the participating inns, please visit www.innsofdahlonega.com.  

Media Contact:  Mary Huff, Pineapple Public Relations, 404-237-3761 or mhuff(at)Pineapple-PR.com