Missouri Southern's Holiday Happenings features vendors and festivities

JOPLIN, Mo. — There was Christmas fun for the whole family today at Missouri Southern.

The university hosted its annual Holiday Happenings event.

There was a makeshift ice skating rink outside in the alumni parking lot, while inside, a whole lot of shopping options and activities.

It gives members of the community, and particularly students who are far from home, the chance to purchase locally handmade gifts.

Later, Santa and a few of his reindeer also made an appearance.

"It's a little bit of everything for everyone who wants to come. I'm excited for today. We always look forward to this. I actually got to be on the committee this year and help plan a little bit of everything, so it has been really, really fun just to see everything come together and come to life," said Emily Brower, MSSU academic advisor.

More than 30 vendors were part of today's maker's market.