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Source: Thomas Jackson, 785-532-2354, tjackson@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu
Monday, Nov. 24, 2008
BIENNIAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR FOR K-STATE'S FRIENDS OF MCCAIN AUDITORIUM A KICKOFF TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON
MANHATTAN -- The Friends of McCain at Kansas State University will host the biennial McCain Holiday Home Tour from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The tour is a fundraiser for the McCain performance and educational outreach programs and features six Manhattan homes fully decorated for the holiday season.
"The Holiday Home Tour is recognized by the community as the unofficial kickoff to the holidays," said Thomas Jackson, assistant director of McCain Auditorium. "It's become a Manhattan tradition."
The homes are selected by a committee that searches the Manhattan area for interesting houses that have not been featured in the tour before. Once the list is narrowed down, the owners are asked if they would be interested in participating.
The owners then deck out their homes in holiday cheer, sometimes enlisting the help of professional decorators. However, many homeowners prefer using their own creative decorating ideas.
This year's tour includes the homes of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Dean and Alice Armbrust, Kent and Julie Kiracofe, Joe and Darlene McGraw, Lance and Susan Saville, and David and Mindy Weaver. Decorations vary and include electronic toy trains circling garland, miniature Christmas villages and a life-size nutcracker.
" We've had a great turnout for this event in previous years," Jackson said. "On the last home tour, we had about 1,500 people participate."
Tickets for the McCain Holiday Home Tour are $15 for the general public and $12 for those with a military I.D. Tickets can be purchased at various merchants throughout the area, including Ann-A-Lee's, Ben Franklin Crafts and Frame Shop, Community 1st Bank's east and west locations, Edesia's Bakery and Cafe, Manhattan Town Center, McCain Auditorium box office, Rod's Hallmark Shop and Varney's Book Store, all in Manhattan; and Gatherings on the Prairie in Junction City.
The homes can be visited in any order. Purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged so participants can look at the map and know the route to each home on the tour. A valid ticket must be presented upon entering each home. Children under the age of 13 will not be admitted. Picture taking inside the homes is not permitted. The last tour at each home starts at 3:45 p.m.
