U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Stops at Lenox Square Tuesday Afternoon

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is making a stop at Lenox Square this afternoon on a 23-day tour from Colorado, where it was harvested, to the nation's capitol.

The tree will be on display at the mall from 4-8 p.m. in the front parking lot.

All festivities, including a stop from the Great American Cookie food truck and Toys for Tots donations, with the Tree are open to the public and free for all to enjoy. Festivities will be hosted by radio personality Moby in the Morning.

The tree tour helps spread awareness about sustainable forestry as well as invites people to assist with raising funds for the Forest Restoration Challenge.

The tradition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, also referred to as the "People's Tree," began in 1964 when Speaker of the House John W. McCormack (D-MA) placed a live tree on the lawn of the Capitol for Christmas. The tree lived for three years before succumbing to root damage, according to the official website of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.

This year's tree comes from the White River National Forest near Meeker, CO. This year marks the third time Colorado has provided the Capitol Christmas Tree.