Christmas

It takes 200 volunteers two weeks to transform the 1839 Mansion into a showcase of the season. Georgia College faculty, staff and 50 students work alongside numerous community members to get it ready for thousands of visitors who’ll come to see its bright lights and holiday cheer.

In the minutes leading up to “The Nutracker’s” premiere 2016 performance Amelia Pelton, the production’s artistic director, is out among the seats of Russell Auditorium greeting audience members. She’s easy to spot in her festive red sequined jacket adorned with a glittering holiday wreath broach. What you can’t tell by the smile and twinkle in her eyes is that, just minutes before, she was putting out a thousand fires.