Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / First Christmas in the Garden brings crowd

First Christmas in the Garden brings crowd

December 3, 2018 by Brian Sweet

The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council hosted its first Christmas in the Garden: A Night on the Polar Express event on Nov. 30 at the Abilene Convention Center in the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden.

Availability for the event closed in the morning due to a high registration rate for the event.

Attendees were sipped on hot chocolate, took photos with storybook characters such as Stuart Little and the Grinch, joined in children’s activities, train rides and visits with Santa.

In preparation for the event, former art & design professor Jack Maxwell painted some of the backdrops that were used on the train ride and former theatre professor Gary Varner choreographed some of the dance routines for volunteers on the train ride.

Sidney Levesque, marketing director for the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, said they created the event because they wanted to add to the City Sidewalks event.

“With all the events that are going on around City Sidewalks we decided since we were decorating the garden and there were activities going on all week downtown, that we should have an event so we created Christmas in the Garden,” Levesque said.

Lynn Barnett, executive director of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, said she is appreciative of the turnout and the generosity of the volunteers to help put this event on.

“We are thrilled with how the event turned out and have received such positive feedback from the more than 800 people who attended,” Barnett said. “We are so appreciative of our sponsor Perry Hunter Hall, volunteers from the Abilene Christian University and Hardin Simmons University theatre departments as well as the Big Country Home School Association and LYNAY for partnering with us on this community event. Christmas in the Garden is another wonderful example of how arts build community.”

Levesque said they are looking into possibly holding this event next year over two nights due to the high attendance feedback.

“We’re pretty sure we are going to bring this event back next year,” said Levesque. “There’s a possibility we are going make it two nights, it takes quite a bit of volunteer to put on an event like this. I think our volunteer organizer has about 40 volunteers lined up so as long as we can get the volunteers next year, I think we are going to hope to have it at least two nights.”

Filed Under: News

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

About Brian Sweet

You are here: Home / News / First Christmas in the Garden brings crowd

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257 Retweet on Twitter 1521918832738144257 1 Like on Twitter 1521918832738144257 8 Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Like on Twitter 1521607087553458178 18 Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved