Truckload Carriers Association Brings U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Cleveland Browns Football Game on November 16

Public exposure at major sporting event will showcase trucking’s involvement in transporting “The People’s Tree” each year

Alexandria, Virginia:

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree has left the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota and will stop in about 30 communities across the country as it travels by truck on its way to the U.S. Capitol in time for the holidays. As part of the 2,000-mile journey, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has arranged for the tree to stop at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, where locals can view it prior to the Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans football game on November 16, 2014, from 10 am – 1:30 pm Eastern time.

Anyone in the Cleveland vicinity is invited to view “The People’s Tree” — not just fans attending the game. In addition to viewing the enormous 80-foot plus white spruce, participants can sign banners that line the trailer housing the tree and will receive free hot chocolate. The Cleveland Browns’ two mascots, Chomps and Brownie, will also make an appearance.

Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president and CEO of Garner Transportation Group, Findlay, Ohio, and a co-chair of TCA’s Communications & Image Policy Committee, was one of the driving forces in bringing the tree to the Browns/Texans game. When she first learned that the tree would be coming through her home state, she realized that a high-profile sporting event would be an ideal way to spotlight the way the tree is traveling — by 18-wheeler — and to promote the trucking industry to a large number of people.

“The management of the Cleveland Browns has been very cooperative in helping us publicize the tree’s arrival,” she said. “Information has already been e-mailed to about 100,000 Browns fans, a blurb will appear in the game day program, Facebook posts and Tweets have gone out, and information was also placed on the Browns’ website. The tree is sure to attract a sizeable crowd. We want to promote patriotism and the American spirit to everyone, so the more people who can view The People’s Tree, the better!”

After finishing its cross-country tour, the tree will be placed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. It will be lit by Speaker of the House John Boehner on December 2 at 5 p.m. Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. The tree will be lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening through January 1, 2015. The full display includes 70 smaller Christmas trees and 10,000 ornaments created by children and others from Minnesota communities.