Christmas Comes Early to SLU's Quad

12/04/2017

 Christmas – and its snows – came early to Saint Louis University this year, as the SLU community enjoyed s'mores, friends and the lighting of the University Christmas tree on the University quad.

The SLU community and Billiken families turned out on Saturday, Dec. 2, for an evening full of light, laughter and holiday cheer as the University celebrated its first-ever "Christmas on the Quad" winter carnival.

Beginning with Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church, carnival goers sampled hot chocolate and toasted s'mores over fire pits set up throughout SLU's traditional outdoor gathering space outside DuBourg Hall.

Kids made holiday masterpieces at the craft stations and their grown-up companions could shop and strut their stuff in Ugly Sweater contests while carolers sang some of the season's best-loved songs. Bubbles filled the air and SLU students mugged for the camera in the fisheye photo booth.

Santa Claus himself made a special trip to town and listened intently to the secret Christmas wishes of future – and current Billikens.

The holiday fun reached its peak as University President Fred P. Pestello and a group of future Billikens lit SLU's official Christmas tree after Chris Collins, S.J., assistant to the president for mission and identity, blessed those assembled, after gathering children from the crowd to help light candles carnival goers had been given to add more light to the celebration.

As the University tree began to glow, "snow," in bubble form, filled the air, raining down on the joyful crowd.