September 26, 2001

Columbus State University is coordinating with an extensive list of local organizations this holiday season to host a weekend-long multi-cultural event in Uptown Columbus called the Festival of Holidays.

The inaugural event will be a celebration of the holidays featuring a tour of trees, the Springer Opera House production of Peter Pan, a Santa Village, the dedicatory organ concert at the RiverCenter and the traditional Holiday Tour of Homes. These events, plus many others, form the backbone of the festival from Nov. 28 Dec. 2 in Uptown Columbus.

Coordinated by the CSU Alumni Association in cooperation with Uptown Columbus, Inc. and the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, the event is a cooperative effort highlighting the arts organizations in Columbus, several local galleries, and CSUs presence in Uptown Columbus. According to committee chair Kim Rozycki, the event will coordinate concerts and events already planned and add new events to heighten awareness of Columbus State Universitys presence in the RiverCenter, the Rankin Arts Center and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.

CSU students will be the focal point for much of the international flavor of the event. Representing dozens of countries around the world, CSU students will share stories, songs, dance and other holiday traditions during the festival. Students also will also be organizing booths throughout the venues, especially during a specially designed winter wonderland for children Dec. 1-2 called the Santa Village. As part of the weekend, the CSU Alumni Association will host an evening of fun and a silent auction at the Rankin Arts Center on Nov. 29. The evenings agenda will include a preview of the Tour of Trees created by some of Columbus most artistic citizens, as well as the opportunity to bid on items, large and small, donated by businesses and friends in the community.

Proceeds from the festival will help the CSU Alumni Association fund an array of student scholarships, as well as contribute to CSU faculty research and travel.

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Contact: Kim Rozycki 641-5011