Courtesy Photo/ The Bison
The Oval Christmas Tree Lighting has been an OBU Christmas tradition for decades. The event will include singing, music, fire pits, food, and contests.
Josiah Jones
News Editor
Christmas season is just around the corner.
One of many ways OBU will celebrate the holiday is the Oval Christmas Tree Lighting.
This year’s lighting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 pm following Deck the Halls in WMU, which is at 5:30,” director of student ministry Clay Phillips said, who is coordinating the event.
The Christmas Tree Lighting is a longstanding OBU tradition.
“The Oval Christmas Tree Lighting is an event that started decades ago when a tree near Montgomery Hall (formerly located on the West side of the oval, north of WMU) was lit each year to mark the start of the Christmas season,” Phillips said.
“Today we carry on the tradition by dedicating the first Tuesday evening after Thanksgiving break to come together to light a tree on the oval.”
The lighting will be more of a party than a show.
“We will have fire pits, music, and refreshments including smores and hot chocolate. In the past, we have done a Tackiest Sweater contest, but this year we’re doing a gingerbread house building contest,” Phillips said.
“We will have teams of 3-4 students compete to build the best gingerbread house over a period of 15-20 minutes. We will have prizes for the top teams. So, be sure to bring friends and be ready to build to win!”
Phillips suggested attending the lighting is a good way to reduce stress during the week before Finals.
“The Lighting of the Oval is always a great time to take a break from work and school to celebrate the Christmas season and have fun with friends,” he said.
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