MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will make a two-hour stop outside the World’s Only Corn Palace on Thursday, Nov. 12, giving Mitchell residents a chance to join its journey to Washington, D.C.
The free public celebration runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at 604 N. Main St. The visit is part of the tree’s national Whistlestop Tour, which brings community celebrations to stops along its route.
Santa Claus is now listed among the scheduled guests, joining Cornelia and Smokey Bear, according to Travel South Dakota’s event announcement. Families will have opportunities to take holiday photos with the guests.
The Dakota Wesleyan University Jazz Band is scheduled to perform. County Fair Food Stores will provide complimentary hot chocolate and cookies to the first 200 attendees, as previously reported by Mitchell Now.
Visitors can view the tree, sign the banner traveling with it and purchase official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise. The tree comes from Idaho’s Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and is headed to the Capitol’s West Lawn.
The official tour schedule lists Custer on Nov. 10 and Albert Lea, Minnesota, later Thursday following the Mitchell stop. The local celebration is being held in partnership with the Mitchell Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Corn Palace.