Trystyn Miller
Life Editor
Now that the winter season is in full swing, students have many winter activities to look forward to as the semester comes to a close. One of my personal favorite events of the fall semester is the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on campus.
Looking back at previous years, The Tree Lighting Festival is unique because it was actually started by a group of students who served on the Union Program Council back in 2010. According to Heidi Oliver, “They thought it would be an excellent spirit lifter during finals week and also would help students who couldn’t make it home for the holiday feel a little more like the holiday was brought to them.” Oliver mentioned that the tree was not always as grand as it is now, “several small six to ten-foot trees were placed outside the Student Union with the tallest tree sitting atop a wrapped gift box. As the years progressed, 30ft trees were shipped in from Oregon and Washington.” As the years went on and the tree lighting gained more popularity, staff realized that the pine outside the Student Union would make a great permanent tree for the event. Now, the tree lighting stands as a symbol of the start of the holiday season on campus.
One of the exciting parts of this event is that it features a piece created by artist Danny Spangler. Spangler is responsible for one of the event’s highlights – an ice sculpture. In previous years, Spangler has sculpted an ice chair on which students and community members can interact with and take pictures.
As this is one of the most anticipated events of the season, it is no surprise that many students attend the event. According to an anonymous student, this event was one of their favorite activities last semester, “All of my friends [and I] went to the lighting. I remember we decided to go kind of last minute, so we all got bundled up and headed over to the Quad. The whole atmosphere was really fun, and I am so happy we ended up going. I will definitely go again this year.”
This year, I attended the tree lighting with a few fellow students to enjoy the festivities for myself. Immediately upon entering campus, there were students everywhere dressed in their warm attire. The attendance for the event was incredible, as I had to shuffle through students to get closer to the tree. According to an anonymous student, “I am cold but looking forward to the lights! If I’m being honest, it smells like french fries and Christmas out here, and I am not mad about it.” Students gathered around and listened to President Wagner’s welcome speech. He mentioned how excited he was to take part in the Tree Lighting Festival for the very first time. Wagner gave a 10-second countdown, and the tree was lit! Students were seen enjoying hot chocolate and taking pictures on the ice sculpture throughout the night. Overall, I believe this is a really special event, and it is something that will continue to draw a crowd at ISU.
