Santa Visit to TAMIU Planetarium Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1

The goose is getting fat and the halls are decked out with boughs of holly.

Before he gets really busy, Santa Claus plans to visit his friends at the Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium Saturday, Dec. 1 from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m.

The helpful elves at the LBV Planetarium can document your visit with Saint Nick by taking a photo of your kids, your pets or even you with the big guy for $5 with paid admission, $10 without; on Saturday only. To prepare for Santa's visit, the LBV Planetarium has scheduled two shows to set the mood.

"Season of Light" is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

"Season of Light" traces the history and development of many of the world's most endearing and familiar holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season - from the burning Yule log, sparkling Christmas tree lights and candles in windows, to the lighting of luminaries in the American Southwest and the traditional ritual of the Hanukkah Menorah. Season of Light also recounts the historical, religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of the winter solstice, not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Pagan, Nordic, Roman, Egyptian and Hopi.

The other feature, "Santa Over Laredo," is a fun show that chronicles Santa's adventures in Laredo after he crashed his sleigh in town. With help from some local children, Santa was able to repair his sleigh and return to the North Pole, but not before taking the audience on a tour of the solar system and explaining comets, meteors, supernovas, and planetary conjunctions.

General admission tickets are $5 and $4 for children and TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu