On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the holiday festivities of decorations, ornaments, hot chocolate, candy canes, laughter, and a whole lot of joyful smiles circulated throughout the Willams Center at Georgia Southern University as the University Programming Board and the Office of Student Activities hosted its annual Christmas lighting event.
This event has been an annual tradition of Georgia Southern since 2007, bringing students, faculty, staff, and the community of Bulloch County together to jumpstart the holiday season.
Due to weather conditions, the lighting event was moved to the Williams Center instead of its typical home at Sweetheart Circle, but that did not stop everyone from getting into the holiday spirit.
The event offered relaxing, festive holiday activities and treats to gear everyone up for the season.
One of these fan-favorite activities was the decoration of mugs, where each individual was able to get decorative with their own Christmas mug while sitting beside friends and family.
The University Programming Board offered various stations where each person in attendance could go to receive an endless serving of food that the board prepared, or they could quench their thirst with warm hot chocolate.
The University Programming Board and the Office of Student Activities had volunteers assisting people to make this event feel magical for the whole family. Student volunteers served food at the buffet table, assisted community members at decoration stations, and so much more.
“It was a really good turnout being able to see all of the ideas come together, and people are enjoying it, with all the food and the different activities, and actually having a good time,” said University Programming volunteer Nadiyah McGill.
In addition to all the exciting activities, the guests could take memorable pictures with Santa Gus the university mascot, against a Christmas-themed backdrop. Santa Gus roamed throughout the entire event, putting smiles on the faces of “kids from one to ninety-two,” like Nat “King” Cole once sang.
“Well, for us here at Georgia Southern, this has been a tradition, the turning on of the lights that exemplify the holiday season coming, and everybody getting ready for Thanksgiving and then the end of the semester and getting ready to be with family and being grateful and thankful. So it's a great tradition where our community comes together,” said Georgia Southern University President Dr. Kyle Marrero.
Even though the lights were not turned on traditionally due to the unforeseen weather conditions, the lights will still shine bright for all visitors to see throughout the season.
One thing that's certain is the annual Lighting of Sweetheart Circle was still able to keep the holiday magic alive that everyone looks forward to each year.
