Ten year-old Mary Ducay had to think about it for a while. Watching the parade of performers step up to the karaoke microphone at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), she had a serious debate going on within her own mind as to whether or not she wanted to join the list of holiday performers. But eventually curiosity and/or bravery won out.

“It was kind of scary at first,” Ducay said. “But then it turned out to be really fun.”

And that was the way things unfolded for dozens of people taking part in the 2008 Holiday Entertainment Program.

For the first time ever, karaoke was featured as part of the overall presentation, offering passengers a chance to create some holiday spirit themselves.

“The goal is to make our customers who are coming through the airport relaxed,” said Caroline Riera-Schneider, IAH customer service manager. “They’re stressed. They’re on overload and we want to say come, sing a song and have some fun and enjoy your trip.”

That’s exactly how Thomas Dowdy approached the situation. On his way home from Germany, Dowdy belted out an impressive version of Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas.

Meanwhile Melinda Wiggins chose one of her childhood favorites, All I Want for Christmas.

“Half the people could sing and the other half couldn’t,” Wiggins observed. “I figured I’d fit right in with those that couldn’t.”

But the talent level didn’t really have much to do with the karaoke experience. It was more about getting people into a festive mood and offering them a chance to have some fun along the way.

The karaoke machine was provided to the Houston Airport System (HAS) absolutely free of charge by HAS employee Rob Mason. Mason not only provided the equipment necessary but also volunteered to emcee the event, providing musical entertainment himself when the line of volunteers slowed down.