ST. GEORGE —Utah Tech University lit up the night at the fifth annual Trailblazer Nation Tree Lighting Celebration Wednesday night.
The event featured fun for all ages as families and students participated in activities ranging from Christmas cookie decorating to horse-drawn carriage rides and even tractor-pulled wagon rides.
This year’s celebration had record attendance with people lining up for activities before the event even started.
“We had more booths and activities than in years previous and everything was busier than ever before,” said Megan Church, director of University Events and Promotions.
Perhaps the most popular activity of the night, besides the lighting of the tree, was the Build-a-Bison workshop. With the large turnout, lines for this activity snaked down Trailblazer Boulevard.
Every year the college hands out Christmas ornaments to the first people to arrive. This year 500 guests received the first-ever Utah Tech ornament. And they had given away all of the ornaments before 6 p.m.
The crowd counted down as President Richard “Biff” Williams and his wife Kristin lit up the 40-foot-tall tree that stands at the heart of the Utah Tech Campus in the roundabout on Trailblazer Boulevard.
Children and families stood in line as they drank their hot chocolate and waited for their turn to sit with Santa and tell him what they wished for this Christmas season.
Music filled the air as Utah Tech University’s song and dance team Fusion, as well as the Irish Celtic band Wooden Tantrum and Lacey Butler took turns sharing their musical talents with the community.
Special appearances were made by Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as Brooks the Bison and Miss Utah Tech University Zoe Sewell.
Photo Gallery
Local Law enforcement at Trailblazer Nation Tree Lighting Celebration, Nov. 30, 2022 | Photo by Layce Lundy, St George News Trailblazer Nation Tree Lighting Celebration, Nov. 30, 2022 | Photo by Layce Lundy, St George News A group of friends participates in Utah Tech's build-a-bison workshop at the Trailblazer Nation Tree Lighting Celebration, Nov. 30, 2022 | Photo by Layce Lundy, St George News Brooks the Bison enjoys the Trailblazer Nation Tree Lighting Celebration, Nov. 30, 2022 | Photo by Layce Lundy, St George News Crowds gather at Utah Tech University's at the Trailblazer Nation Tree Lighting Celebration, Nov. 30, 2022 | Photo by Layce Lundy, St George News
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