The Creighton campus just got a little bit brighter after the 24th annual Christmas at Creighton Tuesday evening in front of St. John’s Church.
The event, sponsored by Inter Residence Hall Government, featured an outdoor lighting ceremony and a Sodexo-catered dinner with music and visits from Santa.
“Christmas at Creighton was one of IRGH’s first major programs,” said IRGH Community Outreach Chair David Waters. “The event has become embedded in Creighton’s tradition and helps Creighton celebrate as a community.”
Following short speeches from IRHG executives, as well as Scripture readings and blessings from several Jesuits, the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., flipped the switch for the lights at 5:30 p.m. to kick off the holiday season.
The large crowd that had gathered before the church cheered as the tree and the mall were illuminated.
The ceremony mimics similar events in cities such as New York City, where people gather as city holiday lights are simultaneously illuminated.
Hor d’oeuvres ranging from fried ravioli and pot stickers, a station devoted to meat sandwiches and an array of fresh fruits and vegetables. The food was available for meal exchange or $7.45 and was catered by Sodexo, Inc.
A sled ice sculpture provided a chilly home to a shrimp cocktail, while the decorate-your-own Christmas cookie station was laid out in Wareham Court. Servers with silver trays provided mini-cheesecake and other dessert bites to the attendees.
“I stumbled on it last year when I happened to be in the Skutt Center,” said Arts & Sciences sophomore Nick Sullivan. “It’s definitely one of the best meals on campus all year and helps me get into the Christmas spirit.”
From 6-8 p.m., the National Residence Hall Honorary sponsored Olley the Trolley rides from Degelman Circle to downtown Omaha to view the downtown lights.
The Rev. Greg Carlson, S.J., portrayed Santa with several helpful elves, inviting students and faculty to take pictures with him and the elves as he wandered through the crowd.
Arts & Sciences freshmen Michelle Skaff and Mary Kate Gleidt enjoyed the food and lighting ceremony, as well as a picture with Santa.
“We heard about it through e-mail,” Gleidt said. “The food turned out to be really good, especially the desserts.”
“My favorite part was Santa,” Skaff said.
Christmas at Creighton T-shirts were available for $10 each, and proceeds go back into the IRHG funding for the next Christmas at Creighton.
“It’s a highly attended event,” Waters said. “This year we opened up Jack and Ed’s for more seating, and we also handed out maps of the V. J. and Angela Skutt Student Center so people know where they can sit.”