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UNM mascot Lobo Louie showcases the luminarias and colorful string lights that decorate the patio outside the Student Services & Technology Center during Holiday in New Mexico at ��ɫӰ��-Gallup on Dec. 5, 2024.

Holiday in New Mexico brings enchantment to ��ɫӰ��allup

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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Branch campus celebrates cultural traditions and reinforces commitment, goodwill to the community

By Richard Reyes, Friday, December 20, 2024

GALLUP, N.M. — Enchantment filled the air during ��ɫӰ��-Gallup’s annual Holiday in New Mexico event on Dec. 5, 2024.

Holiday in New Mexico acts as an open house for the ��ɫӰ��allup campus as community members are invited to visit and enjoy holiday cheer with a focus on Land of Enchantment traditions, such as luminarias and biscochitos.

Inside the commons, guests took photos with Santa Claus, who made his grand entrance to the venue in a fire truck with help from the Gallup Fire Department. UNM mascot Lobo Louie also roamed the commons to interact with guests and take photos.

A giant Christmas tree glistened in the middle of the commons with new ornaments donated by Home Depot, which has also donated string lights, projector lights and other decorations over the past three years.

T&R Market donated bottled water for the event. Food truck vendors The Enchilada Lady and Rosco’s parked outside the venue to provide food sales to the public.

��ɫӰ��allup Local Advisory Board Vice Chairman Raymond Calderon brought his two kids to the event for the third year in a row.

“It’s become part of the holiday season for them just like the Gallup parade, balloon rally, and other annual Christmas festivities,” Calderon said. “The event has gotten better and better with each year as it focuses more on the UNM community and less on outside organizations like in previous years. The kids really enjoyed all of the arts and crafts tables.”

Holiday in New Mexico guests engaged in a variety of games, crafts and activities, such as holiday bookmarks, ring toss game, DIY reindeer candy canes, face painting, a green screen photo booth, and more.

“From a public relations standpoint, the event allowed us to showcase our space, connect with the public, and enhance our visibility in a positive way,” ��ɫӰ��allup Student Activities and Recreation Specialist Shawn Frank said. “It was a fantastic platform for reinforcing our commitment to the community and fostering goodwill, which is invaluable for strengthening relationships with local residents.”

The Art Student Collective in particular stepped up by helping design decorative signs for the event plus Winter Wishes coloring cards on which people of all ages could write their letters to Santa or messages of religious and cultural value.

Art Student Collective members also volunteered to help set up and light luminarias alongside other students, staff and faculty.

"Holiday in New Mexico is the best Christmas party in Gallup,” Vidal said. “It’s always a pleasure to attend and participate. Seeing many families from around the city sharing together brings a lot of joy."

The annual event is organized by the Holiday in New Mexico Planning Committee, which is made up of ��ɫӰ��allup staff and faculty members. The Facilities Management Department also plays a major role in the event’s success by taking care of the logistics, such as decorating, setup and cleaning.

Next year’s Holiday in New Mexico is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2025.

Jean Paul Van Derdys Vidal performs live inside the Gurley Hall auditorium at ��ɫӰ��-Gallup during Holiday in New Mexico on Dec. 5, 2024.