TWU to host annual Festival of Lights

Matt Olson, Copy Editor

As one last celebration before finals week and students return home for the holidays, TWU’s Festival of Lights aims to spread the holiday spirit around campus. The lighting will take place at the Hubbard Oval on Tuesday Dec. 1 at dusk, and two other events will be taking place that day: Winter Wonderland at the Student Union, in which booths will be set up to sell food and holiday crafts, and a Winter Concert in the Margo Jones Performance Hall at 7 p.m.               

The Festival of Lights has been a TWU tradition since 2011, started by the faculty senate. Senior associate provost Dr. Jennifer Martin shared: “It was a desire that we could come together, celebrate together and enjoy community here on campus. Since that time, we’ve included the staff council, the Center for Student Development and the Student Government Association.”              

She added: “This year, the program in Fashion and Textiles is decorating trees for us as a class project for their Visual Merchandising class, as they did last year. We also have a lot of participation from the Music, Drama and Dance departments.”              

During the lighting, students will recite readings and faculty and staff will speak to the gathered audience while dancers and musicians perform.               

Martin said: “We’re hoping to have a good turnout from students, staff, faculty and their families. We would love to have lots of student participation.”              

She also shared: “My husband and I have enjoyed the whole evening [during previous Festival of Lights events].”              

Martin concluded: “It’s a fun time for us all to be together and celebrate the warmth of the season, and we hope it’s a good night for it.”             

The lighting ceremony and the Winter Wonderland event will be free, though attendees may want to bring money to spend during Winter Wonderland. The Winter Concert will cost $5 for attendees 13 and up and free for younger children.