Bailey Thompson | News Editor
Gathering together despite a cold and rainy evening, a crowd eagerly anticipated the 51st Annual Tree Lighting — a Western campus and community tradition that ushers in the holiday season. Decked with colored lights and a star on top, the Giant Sequoia was set to light up after a parade of student groups and local businesses had made its way down Main Street and Monmouth Avenue.
Some of the businesses and organizations who participated in this year’s parade included Monmouth Police and Campus Public Safety, Western’s Greek organizations, the 2018 Homecoming Royalty, local elementary schools, WOU Drumline, WOU Dance Team, Polk County Fire District and many more.
After the parade and tree lighting, spectators were invited to participate in a number of events that were held in the Werner University Center. Upstairs, students and families had the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, witness the cookie baking and tree decorating competitions, color a variety of holiday pictures and visit an informational display that provided information about the numerous holidays that are celebrated by different cultures around this time of year. Moving downstairs, attendees could hear the music of a local school choir concert that was open to the whole community.
Additionally, just down the road, “Wine, Warmth and Music at the Historic Gentle House” was a free event that featured a variety of holiday food, wine tasting for those 21 or over, live music, free portraits and cookie decorating.
When reflecting on her years attending the Holiday Tree Lighting, senior education major Natalie Sassaman shared that she appreciated sense of unity that the event offered.
“My favorite aspect of the Monmouth tree lighting is the community from Monmouth, Independence, and (Western) coming together to celebrate an incredible tradition,” said Sassaman. “Even with cold rain, everyone was able to come together to enjoy watching the parade and tree light up.”
Similarly, Erin Roan, another senior education major, valued the fact that this event — which occurs between Week 10 and Finals Week — gives students the chance to slow down and focus on positive things in the midst of a hectic time.
“I loved going to the tree lighting for the fourth year in a row because it’s such a great time to see the WOU community come together in the middle of a busy, stressful time,” said Roan.
If students missed this year’s Holiday Tree Lighting, they still have the opportunity to witness the tree’s beauty each night during the holiday season.
Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu
Photo courtesy of Kyle Morden (Car) & Ashlynn Norton (Tree)
