The annual event features 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 Division of Student Affairs.
“Herd Holiday is one of our favorite annual events,” said Mallory Jarrell, director of branding and trademarks at Marshall. “It is always so much fun seeing the Marshall Family, young and old, come together to enjoy the holiday season on campus.”
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting of the Marshall University Christmas Tree. The program will include performances by Marshall University’s Early Education STEAM Center, the Old Main Carolers and True Impact Dance and Performing Arts.
After the lighting, guests will move inside for activities and snacks – including hot chocolate and s’mores. The bookstore will remain open for holiday shopping and will offer a free gift with purchase, special offers and giveaways throughout the evening. Families are invited into the bookstore for a holiday story time beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Holiday photos with Santa-Marco will be taken from 6 to 8 p.m. The photos will be available for free download beginning Monday, Dec. 5.
Marshall student organizations will take part in a gingerbread house decorating contest and Marshall’s Presidential Ambassadors will be available to assist children in writing letters to Santa Claus and dropping them in his mailbox.
Marshall Health and the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine will be hosting a stocking-stuffing station, students from the School of Pharmacy will help children make reindeer bait and international students will be creating holiday gift tags in their native languages. The Early Education STEAM Center will be hosting an activity and sharing information about the Imagination Library.
Students from the Campus Activities Board will be hosting a Build-a-Bison station. Guests will be able to purchase and stuff a holiday-themed Marco for $20 or $10 with a valid Marshall ID.
More information and a full schedule of events can be found at http://www.marshall.edu/herdholiday.