Commemorate the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree August 9 at Nevada State Museum

Ornaments made will adorn tree in Washington, D.C.

CARSON CITY, NV – The public is invited to be part of state history and help make ornaments that will decorate the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. For the very first time, the state of Nevada is home to the “People’s Tree,” harvested this year from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Nevadans will make and donate 10,000 ornaments for the tree!

Join the Nevada State Museum, Carson City, Nevada State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City, and the Nevada Division of Minerals on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a Christmas tree ornament making party in Loftin Park at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson Street in Carson City.

All ages and skill levels are invited to take part in making ornaments for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. All materials and supplies are provided.

Special guest mascots Smokey Bear of the U.S. Forest Service and Carson Kit Fox of Nevada State Parks will be on site for the event. Be sure to wish Smokey a happy birthday while you’re here. The iconic ranger bear turns 81 this year on August 9.

Games and fun educational activities in the park as well as a Curator’s Corner highlighting Nevada state symbols from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Dema Guinn Concourse are also planned, along with a U.S. Forest Service fire engine that will be on hand from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Activities in Loftin Park and the Curator’s Corner in the Dema Guinn Concourse are free. Admission to Museum exhibit galleries is $10 per adult. Museum members and children 17 and under are free. The Nevada State Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Schedule of Events:

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Ornament Making Party

August  9, 2025

8:30 am: Museum doors open

9 am: Ornament making, games and activities start in Loftin Park; Smokey Bear and Carson Kit Fox on hand

9 am: State Symbols Curator’s Corner, Dema Guinn Concourse

10:30 am: U.S. Forest Service fire engine arrives

12 pm: State Symbols Curator’s Corner wraps up

1:30 pm: U.S. Forest Service fire engine departs

3 pm: Ornament making concludes

4:30 pm:  Museum closes