West Virginia University will mark the start of the holiday season at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, with the 21st annual lighting of historic Woodburn Hall on the Downtown Campus.

The University community and public are invited to join Student Government Association President Jason Parsons, Mountaineer mascot Mike Squires and 2008 Mountaineer Idol winner Holly Hunsberger in the festivities.

The WVU tuba ensemble and Mountaineer Idol finalists will perform classic holiday favorites, and 6-year-old Saige Sprouse, a WVU Childrens Hospital patient, will assist Squires as he turns on 7,000 miniature white lights.

The lights, outlining WVU s second-oldest building, will remain lit until mid-January.

Following the outdoor lighting ceremony, a reception will be held in the Vandalia Lounge of the Mountainlair with cookies and hot cocoa. Santa will be on hand to greet the young and those young at heart.

Everyone is encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to contribute to WVU Student Organization Servicesannual Toy Mountain drive, benefiting area children through community organizations such as the Salvation Army and Christian Help.