Families, friends, Stony Brook staff and alumni attended the annual Lighting of the Windmill celebration at Stony Brook Southampton on Friday, December 2.

The free community event marks the beginning of the holiday season for the community and campus.

All were invited to light up the holidays at the annual Windmill lighting.

The crowd enjoyed family-friendly activities such as creating balloon animals, hot cocoa and holidays treats and a photo booth. Guests were also invited to guided tours of the Windmill by SBU Faculty member Tara Riders’ History class.

This year a new entertainment feature was added. The “Ice Melodies” showcase gave the crowd a chance to watch an expert carver make a windmill out of a 300 lb. block of ice while listening to carolers from the Hamptons AARP sing holiday favorites. In addition, a new group of Southampton High School top musicians performed, and businesses from the Calverton Incubator shared information about their companies.

Following the festivities was a special staff lecture with Chris Paparo of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences entitled “From Plankton to Whales: Just a Few Reasons Why Our Local Waters Are Worth Protecting.

Learn more about Stony Brook Southampton: http://www.stonybrook.edu/southampton/