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The University of North Georgia's (sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú) Starlight Celebration and Fireworks event offers another tangible reminder of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's return to normal operations this fall. After a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 22nd installment of Starlight is set for Aug. 28 at sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Gainesville Campus.

All proceeds benefit sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú students.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. at the G.W. Bailey Amphitheater at 3820 Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood, Georgia, and the fireworks begin at dark.

"Starlight is a longstanding community tradition at sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Gainesville Campus, and we are excited about bringing back this family-friendly event for students and community members this fall," sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú President Bonita C. Jacobs said.

Starlight is part of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Weeks of Welcome, a variety of social activities and educational programs for students during the first two weeks of the semester.

"What a great time to bring everybody together after the year and a half we've had," Dr. Richard Oates, interim vice president of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Gainesville Campus, said. "We look forward to reconnecting with our community."

The cost is $10 per car or $20 per bus, van or larger vehicle. sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú students enter for free with a valid sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú student ID card.

Starlight is a longstanding community tradition at sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Gainesville Campus, and we are excited about bringing back this family-friendly event for students and community members this fall.

Dr. Bonita C. Jacobs

sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú President

Families may bring a picnic or purchase food at Starlight. Food for sale will include Applewood smoked pulled pork, Brunswick stew, hand-breaded chicken tenders, coleslaw, pasta salad, chips, brownies, cookies, snow cones and coffee.

A DJ will play music during the event.

COVID-19 vaccines also will be available on-site from 4-6 p.m. for sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú faculty, staff and students who are attending Starlight.

The following items are prohibited at Starlight: walk-ins, pets (service animals are permitted), sparklers and outside fireworks, grills and open flames, political signage, advertisements or unlawful weapons.

Everyone is encouraged to use #sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ústarlight when sharing their photos of family, friends and fireworks during and after the event. For details about Starlight, including sponsorship opportunities, visit the Starlight Celebration webpage.

If you have questions about Starlight, contact Shannon Shockley at 678-717-3947 or shannon.shockley@ung.edu.