Like the North Star leading the way for weary travelers of yore, the Festival of Lights, at 5:15 p.m., Nov. 28, will help usher in the holiday season at Iowa State.

“The Festival consists of lighting the area around Beardshear, including the trees, with electric lights,” said John McCarroll, director of University Relations. “There will also be luminaries lining the walk from Beardshear to Curtiss.”

Other events will also be taking place in association with the lighting ceremony, such as tours of the Campanile, horse-drawn wagon rides, tours at the Farm House Museum and plenty of singing.

“A few of the [choir] students will sing carols with the audience at 5:15,” said Jim Rodde, professor of music.

Children from the community will also be taking part in the festivities, McCarroll said.

The Ames Children’s Choir will perform on the south steps of Mac-Kay Hall at about 6 p.m., he said.

“There will also be live reindeer again this year, which many of the children really enjoyed last year,” McCarroll said.

In the past, the festival has been well attended, he said.

“Depending on the weather, we usually have a few hundred people,” McCarroll said. “There is generally a large student turnout, as well as a good representation of the community.”

The first structure built at Iowa State, the farm house, now a museum, will have tours from 5 to 7 p.m.

“The three-story house was home to college farm superintendents, faculty, two college presidents – Welch and Knapp, students and deans of agriculture,” said Rachel Hampton, community specialist for University Museums.

“During the first 50 years, before travel was practical, faculty opened their homes to students, especially during the holiday season,” she said. “All of the objects in the house have been donated for restoration.”

The museum will be decorated with period ornaments, such as 19th century toys, glittering glass and paper ornaments and evergreen and feather trees, Hampton said. There will also be homemade Victorian treats, such as hot cider.

“There are a lot of people who like to visit the museum to get into the holiday spirit,” Hampton said.