Holiday Festival brings together community and university

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Christmas carols, jubilant children and Santa Claus filled the Bovee University Center Rotunda on Thursday for the annual Holiday Festival.

University President Michael Rao began the festival with a brief introduction to the Christmas Celebration.

He spoke of the importance of uniting CMU and the Mount Pleasant community, a concept echoed by the city’s Mayor Jon Joslin.

“We can’t exist without the other,” Joslin said.

Following the commencement speeches, a choir sang Christmas carols in harmony with one another as the crowd accompanied them onto the front lawn of the UC to witness the lighting of the tree.

Once the festival kicked off, Visions Dance Studio presented its dancers participating in the recital they had prepared. The recital entailed choreographed tap dancing and ornamental costumes to illuminate the spirit of the holiday.

Holly freshman Amy Spradlin and Spring Lake freshman Michael Mongeau attended the event together.

“We saw the advertisement on the pamphlet in the dining hall,” Spradlin said.

There were children at each different stations, indulging in activities such as musical chairs, coloring Christmas portraits and making necklaces from colorful cereal.

The main attraction for the night was Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, who were stationed at the North Pole, located in the UC Isabella Room for one night only. The room was transformed into a display of a winter wonderland.

Inside was a Christmas tree with presents beneath it, a train in full circulation and a family of gingerbread men. Mr. and Mrs. Claus handed out peppermint candy canes while resting in wooden rocking chairs surrounded by manufactured snow.

“The faces when they come up here, it’s amazing,” Santa Claus said.

news@cm-life.com