 "Photo:")
Despite the rain and cold weather cutting one celebration short, the campus held two of its annual Christmas events Tuesday, beginning with the Candlelight Celebration at the Memorial Tower.
The celebration, also known as the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, began with the Christmas Brass, a brass quintet made up of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts faculty. Following their performance was the Christmas Bells from the University Baptist Church. Both groups played traditional Christmas songs as a crowd began to gather around the Memorial Tower and receive cookies, hot tea and soft drinks from LSU Ambassadors.
After the music performances, Master of Ceremonies Mike Futrell introduced a woman named Nonzomo, who explained Kwanzaa as the “First Fruits Celebration,” an African-American holiday based on the agricultural celebration of Africa.
Jules D’Hemecourt, a mass communication instructor, then read the “Cajun Night Before Christmas,” by James Rice. D’Hemecourt read the book while sitting in a rocking chair and speaking in a thick Cajun accent.
The Baton Rouge Ballet Theater then presented “Sleigh Ride” and excerpts from “The Nutcracker.”
Following the performance was Rabbi Barry Weinstein’s attempt at lighting the Hanukkah Menorah, but failed to do so because of the wind gusts.
“We tried,” Weinstein said after the failed attempt.
As the LSU Men’s Glee Club prepared to perform around 5 p.m., the first drops of rain began to fall. By the middle of the performance, the audience began to open umbrellas or seek shelter.
Because of the rain, the Baton Rouge Concert Band was unable to perform “Sleigh Ride,” as initially planned.
“A lot of people probably do not understand with the Concert Band, when it’s raining, it’s not good for them to be in the weather and to get wet because it’ll ruin [the instruments],” said Randy Gurie, director of University Special Events. “So when it started raining, they made an administrative decision that they needed to get out of that.”
After the Glee Club’s performance, Futrell recognized the committees who helped to put on the event, and introduced LSU System President and Interim Chancellor William Jenkins, who helped count down to the lighting of the tree.
Because of the poor weather conditions, the event ended earlier than planned. But Gurie still thinks the celebration was a success.
“I thought it was an excellent ceremony,” he said. “I think we were able to complete most of the program as we had planned it.”
Gurie said two years ago, rain caused the event to be called off, causing many people to become upset.
“A lot of folks, particularly freshmen, were disappointed because they heard so much about it and were looking forward to it,” he said. “Since we began the ceremony in 1995, it has really become a tradition. It’s one of those things that folks look forward to.”
Gurie said the tree, which is 40 feet tall, came from Christmas Hills Tree Farm in Washington, the same company who supplies the White House Christmas tree. The tree is called “The Giving Tree” after the book of the same name, because of the donation boxes located underneath the tree.
Gurie said students, faculty, staff and the public are asked to donate toys to the Toys for Tots program, children’s clothes for the Salvation Army and non-perishable food items for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Donations will be collected through Dec. 10.
Gurie said he thinks the tree is one of the top five tallest Christmas trees in the nation.
Many people stayed until the end of the ceremony, braving the unfavorable weather.
Artem Rogovskyy, a food science graduate student, brought along his 5-month-old daughter to the ceremony. Rogovskyy, who is from Ukraine, said they attended because this was the first event like it they would attend in the United States. Rogovskyy said he thought the tree was beautiful.
“It’s really strange to see the tree and the flowers at the same time,” he said. “We have snow usually.”
Following the ceremony was the 15th annual Holiday on the Campus at the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse. Carolyn Landry, committee chair and assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the committee has been preparing for the event since August.
Landry said they ask people to bring a wrapped gift for Toys for Tots or canned goods for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, which makes it a charity event.
The event featured food from LSU Dining, Raising Cane’s, Mr. Gatti’s, Krispy Kreme, Rocket, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola, Jambalaya Shoppe, Matherne’s Supermarket, Southern Belle sandwiches and Hi-Nabor.
The event also included autographs by the Golden Girls and the LSU Cheerleaders, arts and crafts, games and a rock wall by University Recreation, door prizes, a magician and a clown.
“Year after year, it seems like it’s getting bigger,” Landry said. “Kids really enjoy it.”
Jenkins said both of the events are great for the campus, especially since they occur during a time when students are worrying about final exams.
“I find these two events very preparative for the joyous holiday season,” he said. “I give our staff great credit for doing this.”
Be the first to comment on this article!