Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

Western’s campus will be kicking off December with the 56th annual Holiday Tree Lighting. The event will start at 6:00 p.m. outside of the historical Campbell Hall. In preparation for the occasion, the tree has been fitted with its giant decorations which will be lit at the event around 6:45 p.m..

“Our sequoia tree outside of Campbell Hall is rumored to be the second largest sequoia (in Oregon),” said Katelin Granger, the coordinator of student activities & inclusion. It was planted in 1887 by former students of Western and is the object of celebration for the Holiday Tree Lighting.

The annual event is expected to bring together the Monmouth-Independence community, alumni, students, staff and faculty at large, as it has in previous years. It begins with a few keynote speakers sharing some words for the public. Some speakers include the President Peters, parade narrators and student voices that Granger established for the sake of inputting student representation in the event.

In the past, the parade has featured around thirty floats and traverses through Monmouth. “We have the annual parade that goes from the Monmouth (Public) library to the middle of campus,” said Granger. “We see people line up down Main Street and Monmouth avenue to watch all the parade floats. It’s just a really fun time.”

After the parade, the Dean of Students, Malissa Larson, will say a few words which will be followed by speeches by the mayors of Independence and Monmouth. Local elementary schools have engaged in an essay-writing contest, where the winner will be announced on the night of the event and assist in lighting the tree alongside President Peters. Prior to the lighting, the winner of the essay contest gets to read their essay aloud to the public attending the ceremony.

The Werner University Center will host indoor activities like cookie frosting and a Santa Claus for photo opportunities and more fun.

“This year, Abby’s House is doing their silent auction and that is going to be open during the after-portion, in the Columbia room,” added Granger.

Tradition will continue on the first Friday of December as the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony commences on campus. Granger encourages students to attend the event and join in on the holiday spirit that the festive night will entail.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu