Things to Know Before Texas Tech’s 58th Annual Carol of Lights
It's the lighting of over 25,000 Christmas lights on the Texas Tech Campus. The much-anticipated annual event, the 58th Annual Carol of Lights, is Friday, December 2nd and illuminates buildings around Memorial Circle, the Engineering Key and the Broadway Entrance to the campus.
This huge, must-see event which stretches across 18 Texas Tech University buildings is full of traditions. The Carillon Concert begins at 6:30 p.m. just prior to the lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.
You'll want to be at the University Seal on Broadway by 6:30, where you can expect to see the Masked Rider, Saddle Tramps, Torch Light Processional and High Riders.
Luminaries light the route from Memorial Circle to the Science Quadrangle. Did you know there are about 3,000 luminaries and ALPHA PHI OMEGA and CHI Rho place these the night of the ceremony.
Beautiful singing and music fills the air, beginning at 6:30, under the direction of Jim Decker. You will hear the Tech Trombone Choir joining with the voices of the TTU Choir.
Following this opening ceremony, the lights will be turned on every night at dusk through January 1, 2017.
The official hash tag will be #TTUCOL!
Anticipated attendance has been about 20,000 people. You'll want to get there early for the best view.
This event has evolved from humble beginnings. In the 1950s, Dr. Gene Hemmle, who was the events co-founder, gathered a small group at Memorial Circle to sing Christmas Carols and 5,000 lights were illuminated in 1959.
It takes more than a month of daily dedicated work to secure all of the more than 25,000 lights.
100 percent of the bulbs are now LED (as of 2014), with an estimated energy consumption reduction of 84 percent. This includes the 38-foot tree and five-foot star.
The huge 20-foot wreath on the Science Building is made of fresh cut pine limbs and set up by the Women's Service Organization using pine branches cut by the TTU grounds crew on campus.
You can check out these additional links with more great information:
I hope you will enjoy this beautiful event!
- BONUS
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