Holiday events planned at Purdue Memorial Union

The holiday season will kick off when the annual Christmas tree is delivered to the union at noon on Dec. 4. The 30-foot tree, dedicated by Terry and Debby Clayton, will be set up in the Purdue Memorial Union Great Hall. Terry Clayton is the union's assistant director of facilities and has been working at the union for 30 years.

The Purdue tradition of erecting the tree in the union began in the 1930s, and since 1975, all trees have been donated by community members. The Purdue Christmas tree is one of the largest indoor trees in the state of Indiana, said Mallory Kayne, the director of traditional events for Purdue Student Union Board.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, members of the Purdue Student Union Board will decorate the tree. Decorations will include ornaments submitted by and representing student organizations.

Holidays at the Union will get into full swing with performances in the Great Hall that will continue from Dec. 5-8. Performances Dec. 5 will include Jeris Eikenberry at 11:30 a.m., Marla Stanton and Yen Lee Loh at noon and the Central Catholic Choir at 12:30 p.m.

Also beginning Dec. 5 will be a Guess the Lights Contest. The top three guesses of how many lights are on the Christmas tree will be awarded prizes. The entry deadline is Dec. 15.

From 3-6 p.m. Dec. 6, Holidays Around the World will be celebrated in the Purdue Memorial Union main lounges. The Purdue Student Union Board Cultural Events Committee will join with other student organizations to expose students and the community to the variety of holidays celebrated by different cultures including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the Chinese New Year.

The event will include displays, demonstrations and artifacts from cultures and activities.

Student organizations, including the Chinese Calligraphy Club, Hillel Foundation at Purdue, Italian Club, Black Cultural Center, Women for a Multicultural Tomorrow and the Sri Lankan Association at Purdue, are sponsoring the event. Holidays Around the World is part of the annual Purdue Student Union Board Passport series.

Performances at the union on Dec. 6 include the Mintonye Music Masters at 11 a.m., Jeris Eikenberry at 11:30 a.m., West Lafayette Junior/Senior High at noon and Kathy McGraw at 1 p.m.

On Dec. 7 performances will include the Delphi Community High School Entertainers at 11:30 a.m., the Lafayette Christian School Junior High Concert Choir at noon and Jeris Eikenberry at 1 p.m.

Performances on Dec. 8 will include Pleasantview Christian School at 11 a.m., Jeris Eikenberry at 11:30 a.m. and the Rossville High School Sophisticated Ladies, Men of Integrity and All That Jazz at 1 p.m.

Area children will have a chance to visit with Santa Claus during Purdue Student Union Board's annual Breakfast with Santa. The event will be held from 8-10 a.m. Dec. 9 in Union Station on the ground floor of Purdue Memorial Union. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage and milk or coffee for $1.99. Santa will meet with children and give out small gift bags. Adults are welcome to bring cameras to take photos at the event or photos can be purchased for $2.

Following breakfast, children can make holiday crafts from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 118 of the union.

The Christmas tree will be taken down on Dec. 18. All events, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to the public.

Sources: Mallory Kayne, (765) 494-8976, psub-traditional@purdue.edu

Christina Schowe, Purdue Student Union Board director of cultural events, (765) 494-8976, psub-cultural@purdue.edu

Margie Stoltz, Purdue Student Union Board program adviser, (765) 494-8907, mcstoltz@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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