Christmas Activities at USF

April 6, 2011 Updated Nov 1, 2012 at 8:25 AM EDT

The University of Saint Francis invites the community to celebrate the holidays with a variety of activities during its traditional Christmas at USF. Most activities are Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2, but some range outside those dates. A schedule follows.

Christmas in the Castle

Historic Brookside, the former Bass family mansion, will be decorated for Christmas by local florists and designers. Visitors can view all three floors of the mansion as it comes alive for Christmas. Tickets can be purchased on the days of the event in the North Campus lobby (across Spring Street from Brookside). Ample free parking is available at the North Campus. Golf cart shuttles will be available for those with mobility difficulties. Admission is $5 per person, $20 maximum per family of up to six people, including parents and children. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.sf.edu/christmas

Hours of operation:
Saturday, Dec. 1 from noon-5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 2 from noon-5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 7, from 1-5 p.m., Senior Day in the Castle, $3 admission for visitors 65 or older.
Saturday, Dec. 8 from noon-5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9 from noon-5 p.m.

Fair Trade Alternative Shopping Bazaar
Sunday, Dec. 2 from noon-5:30 p.m.
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) present high-quality, fairly-traded hand-crafted items from disadvantaged producers all over the world at the Fair Trade Alternative Shopping Bazaar at the North Campus. Fairly-traded items are sold by artists who earn a fair price in producing them, receive access to credit and training, and maintain long-term relationships with organizations rooted in the principles of human dignity and economic justice.

Living Nativity
Sunday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
In 1223, on a mountain near the Italian town of Greccio, Francis of Assisi led a group of villagers at midnight Mass in recalling the poverty and humility of Christ’s birth by re-enacting the scene of His birth in a stable. Thus began the tradition of the Christmas crèche. As Advent begins, members of the university community present a living Nativity as a witness to the power and presence of God’s incarnate love in the world. The character of Saint Francis will narrate the Christmas story as it unfolds, and all gathered will sing “Silent Night.” The living Nativity will be presented in the amphitheater next to the Pope John Paul II Center. Parking is available off Leesburg Road, and there is no admission charge. A petting zoo with the animals for the living Nativity will be available for children from 5-5:50 p.m. free of charge at the living Nativity site.

Lighting of the Lake
Sunday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
Vigil lights will encircle the area of Mirror Lake closest to Spring Street for a shining symbol of Christmas. Those who wish may dedicate one or more luminaries at $10 per luminary to a loved one, in memory of someone special, in recognition of a special occasion, or just to wish a student good luck with final exams. Call (260) 399-8037 to order luminaries by Dec. 1. There is no charge for admission.

USF Share the Warmth collection drive
Donations collected from Dec. 1-11
The University of Saint Francis teams up with the Volunteer Center RSVP to bring a little warmth to the community. Collection bins will be located around campus for donations of hats, scarves, mittens and gloves. Contribution can be dropped into one of the bins, delivered to Brookside or brought to any of the events listed.

Alumni/Faculty Exhibition
Oct. 27-Dec. 16
Hours of operation:
Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sundays 1-5 p.m.
This exhibition includes recent works by graduates of the School of Creative Arts (SOCA) and current and retired SOCA faculty. A wide variety of media and artistic approaches will be on view. The exhibition will be in the John P. Weatherhead Gallery, located in the Mimi and Ian Rolland Center for Art and Visual Communication off Leesburg Road.

Highlights from the University Permanent Collection
Lupke Gallery exhibition
Nov. 30, 2012-Feb. 1, 2013
Hours of operation:
Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sundays 1-5 p.m.
Gallery will be closed from Dec. 24–Jan. 2 for the holidays
On display will be recent acquisitions and donations to the university’s comprehensive art collection of over 6,000 works.

Christmas Music Concert
Sunday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

University of Saint Francis musical groups will perform traditional carols and classical arrangements by a variety of composers and arrangers. The concert is at the North Campus auditorium, across from Brookside. Admission is free.

Star of Bethlehem 2012
Schouweiler Planetarium, Achatz Hall of Science
Saturday, Dec. 1 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 2 at 12:30 and 3 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.

Visitors will meet under the Mid-eastern sky of 3 B.C. and follow the star of the Wise Men. During the live portion of the 90-minute show, planetarium staff will guide visitors to the wonders of the winter Fort Wayne night sky. Parking is available off Leesburg Road. Admission: $4 adults, $3 senior citizens and visitors under 18, $14 maximum per family.