Willamette University Invites Local Community to Tree Lighting

The Star Trees are located on the Willamette campus, across from the State Capitol Building

Tree lighting from last year Photo courtesy: Willamette University

(SALEM, Ore.) - The community is invited to the 11th annual Star Trees Lighting Saturday, December 1^st at Willamette University. The free program begins at 6:30 PM on the lawn north of Waller Hall and is followed by a free family holiday concert at 7:00 PM in the nearby Smith Auditorium. Seating is limited.

Prior to the event, Bon Appetit will provide a holiday dinner from 3:30 to 7:00 PM at Goudy Commons on the Willamette campus. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children 8 and younger.

The tree lighting will include carols, along with free hot chocolate and cookies. A drawing will be held for a boy and girl to flip the switch that lights the trees, and each winner will also receive a small gift and a $50 gift certificate from The Willamette Store on campus.

The community is invited to bring articles of clothing to the 14th annual PennyCoat Drive, sponsored by Beta Theta Pi to benefit Salem’s homeless population. (The Willamette fraternity will also go door-to-door earlier in the day to collect clothing.)

Event sponsors include Willamette University, Dick and Linda Carney, Elwood’s Tree Service, Bon Appetit, Beta Theta Pi, Starbucks, the Lilly Project and The Willamette Store on campus.

The Star Trees are located on the Willamette campus, across from the State Capitol Building at 900 State Street in Salem. For information about the PennyCoat Drive, contact Daniel at (503) 375-5304 or dheathco@willamette.edu.