Horse-drawn carriages, ice skating and musical performances to usher in the season at Lander University's Holiday Tree Lighting celebration on November 28.
Lander University kicks off the holiday season when students return from Thanksgiving Break with a nostalgic themed Holiday Tree Lighting celebration. Festivities take place between 5 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28 outside on Assembly Plaza and extend to the fountain on the front lawn of the Abney Cultural Center and the lawn of Chipley Hall. The event is LINK 101 approved for freshmen students.
Festivities
Lander students, employees, alumni and their family members are invited to join in the fun which includes ice-skating, gingerbread house competitions, ornament painting and a Tacky Holiday Sweater contest. Guests will be treated to refreshments, carolers singing traditional holiday favorites and horse-drawn carriage rides. Musical performances feature Emerald High School's Take 5 Brass Quintet, Lander University's MOM's Choir and the University Singers. The official lighting of the tree begins at 7:45 p.m. when everyone gathers around the 40-foot Atlantic Blue Spruce tree on the lawn of Chipley Hall.
Toy Donations
In continuing the goodwill initiatives of the university, guests enjoying the festivities are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for children ages 4-12. Tommy Claus collection boxes will be on the plaza. Donated toys will be delivered to needy children in the Lakelands area during the Christmas season.
Wind Ensemble "Fa-La-La" Concert
The evening concludes with Lander's Wind Ensemble performing a "Fa-La-La Christmas Concert" beginning at 8 p.m. in the Josephine B. Abney Cultural Center Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. It is FALS approved for students.