Lantern Tours

Last night, boyfriend and I went on a "Lantern Tour."  Going into it, the only thing we knew was from a flyer that I saw that said you would "Meet the characters from Penn State's past and present during a stroll through campus by Lantern Light" and "Free refreshments."  I like lanterns, Penn State, history, and free food, so I convinced boy that this would be fun to do (he was less convinced, but he humored my enthusiasm).  

Oh man.  It.  Was.  Awesome.  It was a beautiful night in Happy Valley, approximately 65° and clear skies.  We showed up at Old Main at about 7:30, and signed up for a tour.  We had to wait about half an hour, but in the meantime we ate some of those free refreshments, watched some people juggle light-up balls, and listened to an A Capella group sing pretty songs.  Then we got called for our tour.  Our group was lead by two students, one of which was wearing a fake mustache.  We then started the walk around campus.  Intermittently, there were characters dressed in elaborate costumes who told us about things from the past.  We met George Atherton, one of the first presidents of the University, and his wife who was a ghost.  We met some military-dressed "students" from the past and learned about the beginnings of the ROTC.  We met Ben and Jerry.  We met a young Sue Paterno, who, in an effort to encourage school spirit in the 1970's, lead a group of other coaches' wives to paint the Lion Shrine ORANGE (so the students would think the opponents did it and rally behind their team, or something), accidentally using latex-based paint instead of water-based paint.  And we went to the top of the Old Main bell tower and gazed upon campus at night (which was TOTALLY unexpected!).  I also got to see my friend Maria who was in our tour group, another unexpected surprise.  

Afterwards they didn't really herd us out of Old Main very quickly, so we dawdled and took some pictures with all the pretty things in the main lobby.  

We were THIS CLOSE to the clock!

Picking the lamb's nose

Giving Pugh a wet willie

Being thoughtful in Old Main

Office of the President

Playing with the Lion

 
So.  I got to eat ice cream, drink cider, walk around campus on a beautiful night, learn about Penn State's history, and go to the top of the bell tower.  :-)