OXFORD, Miss. — To kick off the holiday season for the
University of Mississippi and Oxford community, the annual
Christmas parade and tree lighting are set for Monday (Dec.
3), with the theme “Christmas Time in Oxford.”
Sponsored by the Oxford Lions Club and UM’s Student
Programming Board and Department of Campus Programming,
activities begin with the parade at 7 p.m., followed by the
tree lighting at 8:15.
Jennifer Taylor, director of Campus Programming, said the
events are a tradition to welcome the holiday season. “This
is a time to remind everyone how thankful we are for the
University and Oxford community.”
The parade gets under way at Mid-town Shopping Center,
winding through the Oxford Square and down University
Avenue to the Ole Miss campus. Local organizations sponsor
floats, walking groups and groups riding in vehicles. At
the end of the parade on Lyceum Circle, lighting of the UM
Christmas tree takes place and trophies will be presented
to the first-, second- and third-place overall winning
floats, as well as best nonprofit float, best for-profit
float and best church float.
Participants in the tree lighting ceremony include Vice
Chancellor for Student Life Larry Ridgeway and Associated
Student Body President Drew Taggart. Music is to be
provided by the Ole Miss Gospel Choir. Winner of the
Christmas ornament contest will be announced at the
lighting, with a $150 award given to the winning campus
organization. All ornaments entered in the contest are to
be displayed on the Christmas tree in the Student Union
lobby.
“We encourage the entire Lafayette-Oxford-University
community to come out and enjoy the Christmas parade and
tree-lighting ceremony,” said Taylor. “We look forward to a
very festive and entertaining event.”
For more information or for assistance related to a
disability, call 662-915-1044 or visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/student?life/campus?programming.