Celebrate the Season Delta-Style
Sleigh bells ring. Are you listening? Don’t let the Christmas holiday sneak up on you this year; prep yourself ahead of time and try pushing your family into a jolly, cheerful spirit for the most wonderful time of the year. Consider jotting down these Delta events in your planners, right after tree decorating night and before the Christmas cookie-baking night you do with the kids every year. Don’t forget about the wreath!
Warm Your Heart with Leflore County Celebrations
“The holidays in Greenwood are magical because there’s something for everyone to do,” says Leflore County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beth Stevens.
The Chamber of Commerce gets everyone ready with early gatherings at its three-day holiday open house event occurring Nov. 9-11. Kicking it off are horse-drawn carriage rides and free Yuletide Trolley Rides. Families get to enter restaurants and shopping stores as they please to take a quick look at the seasonal culinary creations and trendy threads. Children also get to spend memorable moments with Kris Kringle.
“Santa is out and about and you can grab a quick photo with him,” Stevens said.
Residents and out-of-town visitors can spend Thursday, Dec. 9 enjoying the city from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. No need to make up your own fun on the following day; the open house will be continued in style.
“On Friday, Nov. 10, we are having our Yuletide Sparkle Fashion Show and Lunch and Learn at the Viking Cooking School,” Stevens explained. “This is a great way to get a sneak peek of the must-have fall and winter fashions from local merchants.”
During the open house hours, the Chamber Prize Patrol will be wandering around in the giving mood with $500 in Chamber bucks to gift to others who will be able to make actual purchases at retail stores and restaurants with the bucks.
On Nov. 30, Greenwood welcomes the month of December with a night of relaxation, holding its famous Outdoor Holiday Movie Night on the lawn of the downtown Courthouse. This free screening will feature a special family-friendly Christmas movie. Movie watchers roll out blankets and set up lawn chairs for a few hours of entertainment.
Following movie night, Greenwood’s annual Christmas parade showcases festive lights and music.
“We boast the state’s oldest Christmas Parade, and it’s filled with floats, bands, giant inflatables much like the Macy’s parade and so much more. Our parade is on Friday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.,” Stevens said. After a series of decorative floats have passed by, wait until the sky is dimmed and get ready to be captivated by an explosion of colors in a fireworks show that will cap off the night.
To find out more about these events visit Greenwoodms.com.
‘Tis the Season in Washington County
If you will be in the Washington County area, a perfect weekend of celebratory experiences await you there as well. Leland’s Chamber of Commerce will have an open house — Christmas on Deer Creek — on Friday, Dec. 1 at The Thompson House bed and breakfast, which sits beside Deer Creek. The Mennonite Chorus will ring out carols on the steps of the house.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, Greenville will have its Christmas parade downtown. On the same day a hop, skip and jump away in Leland, Christmas shoppers will have a chance to do some fancy holiday spending at pop-up shops offered by unique store owners from across all of Mississippi; it happens in downtown Leland beginning at noon and ending at 5 p.m. Then, at 5:30 p.m., people will gather at Deer Creek for an event called Santa’s Arrival. Floats, including Santa’s sleigh, will set the Christmas tone. Then, attendees will do a group sing-along, evoking a sense of togetherness. After, Leland Methodist Church will sponsor a Chili Supper.
If you’re interested in other Decemberevents in Washington County, go to VisitGreenville.org.
Winter Spirit in Coahoma County
North of Greenville is the city where blues music originated: Clarksdale. The city — and Coahoma County — will celebrate Christmas with a Holiday Festival Parade on Tuesday, Dec. 5., according to the calendar on VisitClarksdale.com.
The Holidays in Bolivar County
In Bolivar County’s Cleveland, a Christmas parade will kick off on Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m., beginning at the corner of Fayette Davis Ave. and Merritt Drive.
There’s also a Holiday Tour of Homes in Cleveland that will take place Dec. 3-4 and allow visits in living rooms of beautiful decor. For more information, enter HolidayTourofHomesCleveland.com into your nearest address bar.
Melody Dixon is a 24-year-old freelance journalist and grace revolutionist who resides in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She earned her bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of Mississippi and enjoys keeping up with the latest in popular culture, especially fashion and feminism.
