Yule has been a California Baptist University tradition since one year after the school’s opening in 1950. This year, the Christmas-themed banquet took place Dec. 2 at the Riverside Convention Center in Downtown Riverside.
As interns for the Office of Community Life, William Frankian, senior political science and history double major; and Laney Hantz, senior health science major, were at the forefront of the planning process for Yule.
“We’ve been working on it for a long time,” Hantz said. “The beginning process started last year.”
This was Hantz and Frankian’s first year planning Yule, and they said they hoped their balance as a male-female team created an enjoyable event for everyone.
“It’s been fun to support Laney and her vision,” Frankian said.
Each year, Yule features a main entertainment piece, and this year’s event hosted Johnnyswim, a Los Angeles-based musical duo.
“We are so stoked to be able to have them and let people have a private concert,” Hantz said.
Although Yule is not a Christmas event, the Christmas undertone is usually present. This year, the Christmas theme was expressed through the color scheme.
“We have this non-traditional Christmas-like feel, where it’s more jewel-toned, maroon, burgundy, emerald, gold and bronze,” Hantz said.
While the Community Life Office always publicizes events through social media platforms, this year Hantz and Frankian said they used some live-marketing techniques to encourage attendance.
Yule 2016 also included the announcement of Mr. and Ms. CBU, a tradition normally part of Homecoming, as well as two photo booths that printed photos instantly with a custom border designed by Community Life.
An event nearly as old as the school itself, Yule bade farewell to the fall semester and welcomed winter with music and merriment.
“We continue to do it so that everyone kind of gets a feel for that tradition,” Hantz said.
