COMMUNITY INVITED TO ‘LIGHTING OF THE BELL TOWER’ HOLIDAY EVENT AT CTC
Santa expected to attend second annual event

KILLEEN, TX — Community members are invited to deck the halls this holiday season at Central Texas College’s second annual Lighting of the Bell Tower event from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 7. 

Starting at CTC’s Bell Tower near the duck pond, guests are invited to stroll through numerous light displays placed around campus. The path ends on the campus mall, where they’ll be able to meet Santa, sing carols, enjoy cookies and cocoa, and watch performances by the CTC choir and band. Vendors will also be on hand with games and giveaways.

CTC Chancellor Michele Carter will kick off the event at 6:15 p.m. by flipping the switch that will light up all the displays. The displays will remain lit the entire holiday season through Jan 2.  

“This event was so spectacular, and we had so much fun last year that we knew we wanted to make it an annual tradition,” Valerie Payson, executive director of the CTC Foundation, said. “And of course, we have to make it bigger and better, so this year we’re adding a Christmas tree farm featuring trees decorated by students from the Killeen and Copperas Cove school districts.”

While the Lighting of the Bell Tower is free and open to the public, the CTC Foundation is selling VIP packages for $65 that include a VIP parking pass, VIP seating at the lighting and tree farm event, a souvenir mug, a commemorative ornament and a dining experience. 

“We hope that Lighting of the Bell Tower becomes a holiday tradition the community looks forward to enjoying every year,” Payson said.   

 For questions or to purchase a VIP package, contact the CTC Foundation at (254) 526-1662.