President Jaimie Hebert will flip the switch Thursday afternoon at his first Lighting of Sweetheart Circle, an annual holiday tradition at Georgia Southern University.

The wintery event, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and hosted by the University Programming Board (UPB), will include refreshments, music, a snow machine and photo opportunities for the public.

While Sweetheart Circle has been a central part of the GS campus for over 100 years, the relatively new holiday tradition was introduced in 2007. Since then, additions such as the snow machine and the University president’s role in the lighting of the circle have become central to the celebration.

The buildings, lampposts and trees of Sweetheart Circle will be draped in lights, wreaths and red bows, according to the traditions page of the GS website.

“Each year, students and locals alike gather for traditional holiday treats and seasonal music,” the webpage says, “This winter wonderland extends from the Marvin Pittman Administration Building to the GSU-shaped boxwood plants dressed in sparkling white holiday lights at the campus entrance.”