Nov. 29, 2006 -- The Sixth Annual Lighting of the Lawn will take place Nov. 30, beginning at 6 p.m. near the steps of the Rotunda.The event is free and open toall members of the University and Charlottesville communities.

This year’s speaker for the brief ceremony will be U.Va. music professor  John D’earth. He will read the fourth-year class poem, written by a member of the Class of 2007, while subsequently flipping the switch that will set the Lawn aglow. The program also will include several performances by University singing groups.

The Lighting of the Lawn Committee asks that those attending the event bring canned goods to be donated for local holiday food drives. Collection containers will be located on the sidewalks around the Lawn.

Students initiated the idea of lighting the Lawn in 2001 to bring the community together after Sept. 11.The event has now become a holiday tradition supported by numerous members of the University. Primary sponsors are the U.Va. class councils, the U.Va. Parents Committee and the Office of the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer.