Red River Valley Charter School student Kinley Greene, 7, beats out her classmates in rushing to embrace Smokey the Bear on Wednesday (Nov. 6) at the Red River Convention Center. About 90 students gathered at the convention center to celebrate Smokey's 75th birthday and see the U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which was cut from Carson National Forest moments earlier.
Morgan Timms / The Taos News
Wilbanks Trucking Services Rigger Emilio Garcia, directs the crane operators as the tree is lowered onto the trailer Wednesday (Nov. 6) after the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree Cutting Ceremony in the Carson National Forest near Red River.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
Quests musician Michael Rael observes as cranes load the tree onto trailer Wednesday (Nov. 6) after the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree Cutting Ceremony in the Carson National Forest near Red River.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
The 60-foot U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree is loaded onto the semi Wednesday (Nov. 6) after the Tree Cutting Ceremony in the Carson National Forest near Red River.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
Kinsey Webb's fifth and sixth grade class poses for a photo under the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree on Wednesday (Nov. 6) outside the Red River Convention Center.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
The semi carrying the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas clears a tight corner Wednesday (Nov. 6) en route to the Red River Convention Center.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
U. S. Forest Service Battalion Chief Paul Mondragon ties the final bow onto the U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree on Wednesday (Nov. 6) in the Carson National Forest near Red River.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham gives opening remarks Wednesday (Nov. 6) before the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree Cutting Ceremony in the Carson National Forest near Red River.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun gives a speech Wednesday (Nov. 6) before the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree Cutting Ceremony in the Carson National Forest near Red River.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
Shayne and Sarah Martin, both of Albuquerque, play with their 3-year-old daughter, Amelie Martin, on Wednesday (Nov. 6) before the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree Cutting Ceremony in the Carson National Forest near Red River.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
Red River Valley Charter School first and second grade students are overcome with excitement as they see the 2019 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree approach, accompanied by Smokey the Bear and Santa, on Wednesday (Nov. 6) outside the Red River Convention Center.
Morgan Timms / Taos News
Questa Mayor and Taos County Commission Chairman Mark Gallegos cuts the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 60-foot, 68-year-old blue spruce, in the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest on Wednesday (Nov. 6.)
Morgan Timms / Taos News
Picuris Pueblo representatives bless the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Wednesday (Nov. 6) before its harvest from Carson National Forest.
Morgan Timms/Taos News
Santa is embraced while observing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on its way through Red River on Wednesday (Nov. 6) outside the Red River Convention Center.
Morgan Timms/Taos News