Purdue Memorial Union to celebrate holiday season

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The holiday season at Purdue University will kick off at noon Nov. 28 when the 25-foot-tall Christmas tree arrives at the Memorial Union's Great Hall.

The annual ceremony for the lighting of the tree will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Purdue President Mitch Daniels will light the tree, and President-elect Mung Chiang and members of the Board of Trustees will attend. The event will also have musical performances and light refreshments.

Breakfast with Santa will be 8-11 a.m. Dec. 10 in Purdue Memorial’s Union Great Hall and South Ballroom. A meal of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit and juice, and milk or coffee will be available for $10 (children) or $14 (adults). Children can visit with Santa, share story time with Mrs. Claus and create holiday crafts including make-your-own reindeer food, snow globe and stockings. Pictures can be taken with Santa in the Great Hall. Crafts and reading with Mrs. Claus will be located in PMU, Room 118.

The Christmas tree is scheduled to remain in the Union through Dec. 21. The tree will be tested daily for compliance with the Indiana fire code. If it does not meet the requirements, the tree will be removed from the building.

All of the holiday festivities are organized by the Purdue Student Union Board and open to the public. Guests can enter through the hotel entrance or the PMU entrance closest to the Grant Street Parking Garage.