MSU-Burns Fantasy of Lights to open Nov. 20
When MSU Texas President Stacia Haynie flips the switch at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, and the whimsical scenes that fill the Hardin Administration Building lawn come to life, it will mark the 50-year association of Midwestern State University and the tradition begun by the L.T. Burns family.
On Dec. 4, 1974, the Hardin lawn was first illuminated with the Christmas scenes that had graced the home of Mrs. L.T. (Lillian) Burns until her death in 1971. The story of the lights begins with a single blue light bulb. That was all newlyweds Lillian and L.T. could afford to decorate the tree they placed on their front porch to celebrate their first Christmas together in the 1920s. To celebrate the 50-year association, 50 Christmas trees throughout the Hardin lawn will be decorated with a single blue bulb ornament.
Also to celebrate 50 years, new displays have been added to bring the total of sponsored displays to 50. Twenty-one of those displays are from the original Burns family collection. New this year are “Oh Deer, How Sweet,” a 7-foot reindeer and candy cane picture spot; “Sounds of the Season,” an anime choir with 12 singing characters; an evergreen tree with large ornaments; and a Fantasy of Lights photo spot.
Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with MSU Texas carillonneur Jim Quashnock playing holiday music on the Redwine Carillon in the Hardin tower at 3410 Taft Blvd. Santa Claus is expected to make the trip from the North Pole for photos, and will be available until 8 p.m.
Food trucks scheduled to be on hand include Kafe Maya, Kona Ice, Kimmie’s Korn, Loco for Dulce, McKinney BBQ, and Tacos El Pueblo.
After the opening ceremony, the displays will be turned on seven days a week from dusk to 10 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 26. Displays will be turned on during the day for special events from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information visit the Fantasy of Lights website or call 940-397-4352.
