Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will be on hand when a 20-foot-tall Fraser fir from River Ridge Farms in Creston is cut and loaded for its trip to the White House, where it will be displayed in the Blue Room.

Troxler also will speak at a send-off ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Ashe County Courthouse on Government Circle in Jefferson.

Friday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m.

River Ridge Farms, owned and operated by Jessie Davis, Rusty Estes and Carol Pennington, won the title of Grand Champion Grower at the National Christmas Tree Association in Des Moines, Iowa, in August.

This is the 11th time – and second year in a row – that a North Carolina Fraser fir will grace the White House.

From West Jefferson/Jefferson: Take N.C. 194 North to N.C. 88 West. The left turn for Three Top Road is about 14 miles west on N.C. 88 from West Jefferson and 10 miles after you go through Warrensville. Turn left on Three Top Road and cross two bridges. Go straight after second bridge (Three Top turns left after bridge – you go straight); this will be Muddy Branch Road. The red barn and loading area are about two miles down Muddy Branch Road. Pull into the loading area on the left for a trailer ride to the field.

From N.C. 421 North in Trade, Tenn.: Turn onto TN 67E (becomes N.C. 88) and go about 10 miles to turn right down Muddy Branch Road. The red barn and loading area are less than a half-mile on Muddy Branch. Pull into loading area on the right for a trailer ride to the field.