The special evening will feature the official holiday lighting on the student center plaza, along with numerous activities, snacks, giveaways and music. The event is sponsored by Marshall’s Office of University Communications and the Campus Activities Board.
“After the success of A Herd Holiday last year, we knew we needed to host the event again and make it even better than before,” said Tiffany Davis, assistant director of communications at Marshall. “We are excited about the addition of the holiday tree on the plaza and the performances by our students in the School of Music and Theatre. We hope our students and the community enjoy this event as much as we do.”
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with performances by students from Marshall’s Theatre Department, Premiere Dance Studio and the Old Main Carolers. Then, First Ladies Jo Ann White and Leigh Gilbert will be on hand to flip the switch to light the Marshall University holiday tree.
After the lighting, everyone will move inside the student center for activities, music from Kelley’s Bridge and Marshall’s Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and snacks – including hot chocolate and s’mores. Other features include holiday ornament painting with the Pottery Place (the first 100 ornaments are free), a holiday photo booth and a Marshall Bookstore fashion show. The bookstore will remain open for holiday shopping and will offer a free gift with purchase, special coupon offers and giveaways throughout the evening. A lucky Marshall student will also win books for the spring semester, courtesy of the bookstore.
“This year, we have also added two holiday book readings in the Marshall Bookstore,” Davis said. “Mrs. White and Mrs. Gilbert will be reading holiday stories to children beginning at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m.”
Marshall University Athletics will be bringing student athletes for autographs and photo opportunities, schedule posters and special giveaways.
Holiday photos with Santa-Marco will be taken throughout the evening. They will be available for free downloads beginning Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Marshall international students will host Holidays Around the World, in which they will explain how the holidays are celebrated in their native countries. Marshall student organizations will take part in a gingerbread house decorating contest, and MU students will be available to assist children in writing their letters to Santa Claus and dropping them in his mailbox.
More information can be found at www.marshall.edu/herdholiday.