Break out your ballet slippers and sugarplums and join Ivy Tech Community College in celebrating Christmas at the Seiberling from 4-8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 8. Courtesy of Ivy Tech, the festively decorated mansion at 1200 W. Sycamore St. will be open to the public without charge.

With nearly two dozen areas of the Seiberling Mansion decked out for a proper Victorian holiday this year, Ivy Tech’s display in the second-floor foyer salutes the theme “The Nutcracker Ballet” as part of the Howard County Historical Society’s annual holiday festivities. Nutcrackers stand guard throughout the area as decorations adorn the trees that fill the foyer.

Dr. Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area, noted students, alumni, faculty, staff – and the whole community – are invited to participate.

“Ivy Tech is proud to serve annually as one of the sponsors for free community nights at the museum, a great holiday tradition here in Kokomo,” Heicher said. “And this year, we are really excited to be offering visits with Santa from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Santa’s Workshop on the Seiberling’s third floor. It promises to be a real treat for children of all ages.”

Ivy Tech Kokomo alumnus and faculty member Bob Sucharski is filling the boots of Santa for the evening. A long-time community volunteer in Miami County, Sucharski’s full-time job now is as a faculty member in the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science where he teaches in the industrial technology and construction trades programs.