Purdue Memorial Union to celebrate holiday season

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The holiday season at Purdue University will be ushered in at noon Monday (Dec. 3) when the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree arrives at the Memorial Union's Great Hall.

Tim and Kim Van Meter of 2228 Yount St., Lafayette, are donating this year's tree, a blue spruce. It is one of the largest indoor Christmas trees in Indiana.

The Purdue Student Union Board will decorate the tree Monday evening. Several other student organizations will decorate ornaments that will be placed on the tree. The tree lighting will be at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 4.

The 15th annual Holidays Around the World, arranged by the student board, will be from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Union's North Ballroom. Several student organizations will feature performances and displays of their cultures and different holidays. Food items and crafts also will be featured.

"Christmas is represented with the tree, but the Purdue Student Union Board represents numerous other holidays from many different cultures," said Whitney Porter, graduate adviser for the board. "We also feature Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year and many other cultural celebrations throughout the year in our Holidays Around the World celebration."

Groups scheduled to participate in the event include the Muslim Student Association, Native American Student Association, Asha, Embajadores, Purdue Filipino Association, Black Cultural Center and the Italian Club.

In addition, students and Purdue Memorial Union dining services on Monday (Nov. 26) began building a 12-foot-tall gingerbread house.

As part of the celebration, local musicians and schools will perform holiday songs in the Great Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4-5. For a list of performances, visit http://www.union.purdue.edu/PSUB/

A Guess the Lights Contest also will take place Dec. 4-16. The top three people who come closest to guessing the correct number of lights on the Christmas tree will receive prizes from local businesses. Guesses can be submitted in the Great Hall.

Breakfast with Santa will feature a free visit with Santa, holiday crafts and live music. The event will be from 8-10:30 a.m. Dec. 8 in the Great Hall. The breakfast in the South Ballroom is $3.50 for pancakes, two sausage links, and juice or milk. Coffee and hot chocolate will be available for an additional $1.50. Story time with Mrs. Claus will be at the same time in Room 118.

Writer: Greg McClure, 765-497-9611, gmcclure@purdue.edu