By: Tyler Heaton
Dixie State University is starting out the holiday season with the lighting of the tree celebration.
DSU puts on the celebration to get the students and the community in the holiday spirit.
“It is just a time to celebrate where people are just coming out and enjoying the holidays,” said Megan Church, director of university events and promotions. “It’s a fun way to start the holidays. It is a good opportunity for people to come together.”
This year’s celebration will offer numerous activities for adults and children of all ages, said Bailey Zimmerman, events & promotions coordinator. The celebration will have new features this year that are sure to offer a fun experience, such as a carriage ride around campus.
Church said there will be ornaments given to the first 500 people in attendance. The first 100 students to check-in will also receive a free holiday T-shirt and a scantron for finals.
“We are partnering with the athletics, alumni and our science technology and engineering team, who will be providing different games and activities for the kids,” Zimmerman said.
The celebration will also include many of the same fun experiences as last year’s celebration, like a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and DSU’s very own Brooks the Bison, Zimmerman said. Holiday treats and food will be available for purchase by food vendors that will be attending. There will also be various performances by local groups.
Church said DSU has managed to keep the cost of this event as low as possible and has plans to keep things in-house by bringing in and partnering with different groups and organizations. For example, DSU will be making the ornaments on campus in order to keep cost respective, Church said.
This is the last event at DSU for the 2019 fall semester, entertainment event director Emma Van Lent said. DSU organizations will begin to gear up for the numerous events that will kick off the spring semester.
“The first week back we have ritz and glitz, a formal-type dance. We also have a Wednes-D event, which is battle of the sexes,” Van Lent said. “That will kick off the new semester, and we will have an event every week following these as well.”
The tree lighting event will be held on Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. The lighting of the tree is scheduled for 6 p.m. All festivities will take place next to the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons.
For more information, visit https://news.dixie.edu/2019/11/22/tree-lighting/.
