Following a week of events to kick off the holiday season, the University of Wyoming is keeping the ball rolling and the cheer flowing with a Holiday Open House.
UW President Laurie Nichols and first spouse Tim Nichols will host UW’s third-annual open house event 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Open to all UW students and employees, their families and other Laramians, the event started in 2016 during Nichols’ first year as President as a way to celebrate the holiday season while reaching out to both the University and Laramie communities.
“Tim and I look forward to wishing our community the happiest of holidays at this annual event,” President Nichols wrote in a message to students. “Please come join us in renewing old and making new friendships as the UW community comes together to provide this special evening.”
The open house, which Nichols called “a highlight of the holiday season,” will include a bevy of festive activities and performances from UW and Laramie groups.
After doors open at 4 p.m., the evening will start with a tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. accompanied with music by the UW Community Concert Band. Students from local elementary schools decorated the trees on display.
The open house will feature a holiday cookie bar for decorating cookies and a hot chocolate bar for guests to enjoy. The event will have additional stations for face painting, coloring and holiday games.
Several “UW celebrities” will be in attendance. Pistol Pete and Cowboy Joe will be present for selfie-taking; the University’s team of draft horses, Pistol and Pete, will provide hay wagon rides around War Memorial Stadium’s parking lot.
A traditional Santa Claus will also be present, stationed at the fireplace with a photographer. Guests need only provide their email addresses to have photos with Santa sent to them the next day.
The UW cheer team will be in attendance to greet guests, and additional UW music ensembles — The Bettys, the Happy Jacks and the UW Jazz Band — will follow the community band in providing live entertainment for the remainder of the evening.
