Dahlonega, a picturesque mountain town known for its Hallmark movie charm, is preparing to welcome the Christmas spirit in the heart of summer. A Small Town Christmas, a three-day convention featuring beloved Hallmark holiday film stars and festive activities, will take place July 25-27.
The inaugural event, presented by Georgia-based convention company Decade Days, transforms the University of North Georgia’s Convocation Center into a winter wonderland complete with celebrity meet-and-greets, themed panels, and holiday activities that celebrate the magic of seasonal movies.
“It’s going to be a taste of what we offer during Christmas,” explains Sam McDuffie, executive director of the Dahlonega Lumpkin County Visitors Bureau. “We’ll pull our Christmas decor out of the attic and decorate for that weekend.”
The star-studded lineup includes well-known performers like Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill fan favorite Chad Michael Murray and Desperate Housewives and John Tucker Must Die actor Jesse Metcalfe. Some attending celebrities appeared in films shot locally, including Michael Rady and Taylor Cole, stars of Christmas in Homestead, one of the most recognized Hallmark movies filmed in Dahlonega.
Decade Days owner and event organizer Autumn Dawn Nierode says the inspiration for the convention was her small-town childhood. “Christmas is already busy, so it’s fun to do an event when everyone isn’t already coming into the town; it makes it extra special. [Attendees] get to go into the town to shop or try one of the bars or restaurants. That’s what I love about it.”…