The ISU annual tree-lighting ceremony will be held on Nov. 19 in conjunction with the “Fantasy of Trees and Lights,” sponsored by Mary Greeley Medical Center.

The tree lighting, which will begin at 5:15 p.m., will be held on the steps of Beardshear Hall.

This will be the 51st year of the ceremony, and this year will provide more activities than in the past, said Janet Lovell, secretary for University Relations.

The festivities will include a carillion concert by ISU carillonneur Tin-shi at 5 p.m.

There will also be luminaries, remarks by President Martin Jischke, a candlelight ceremony, the ISU Oratorio Chorus, an open house at the campanile and horse-drawn wagon rides.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be served during the lighting.

This year there also will be special performances by ISU’s Gospel Soul Innovators, woodwind and brass quintets and a strolling vocal sextet.

Iowa State’s mascot, Cy, will make a holiday appearance as well.

Dennis Erickson, manager of campus services, said there are approximately 3,000 lights on the tree this year.

Erickson said it takes about two days to put up the lights and the wire framework that makes the tree look fuller.

“This year the tree lighting is a couple weeks earlier than in the past so it would coincide with the ‘Fantasy of Trees and Lights’ festival in the Memorial Union,” Lovell said.

“It’s a way to have the university and the community working together on an event,” said John McCarroll, director of University Relations.

The “Fantasy” festivities will be held in Great Hall and are open from noon until 7 p.m.

All tree-lighting ceremonies are free of charge. However, there is a small fee for the “Fantasy” festivities in the Union.

The tree lighting is on Nov. 19 and the “Fantasy” celebration will be open through Sunday, Nov. 23.