If Jones County residents aren’t in the holiday spirit after this weekend, it’s their own fault. It all starts tonight with the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Pinehurst Park, across from City Hall.
The Highland Baptist Church choir, directed by Tony Harmon, will perform before the welcome by Laurel Main Street President Brad Kent. Mayor Johnny Magee will greet guests then BancorpSouth President Ray Palmer will light the tree.
The Laurel High School Choir, directed by Kristen McKenzie, and the Laurel Ballet School, directed by Jill Pellan Day, will then perform. Refreshments will be provided by Bancorp South, which is sponsoring the event along with the City of Laurel and Laurel Main Street.
After the tree-lighting, there will be an open house at the Laurel-Jones County Library, where kids can meet Santa and have treats and hot cocoa. Kids can also make a free craft and watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” as well as the scholastic book fair.
Downtown businesses Southern Antiques and Patina’s will have extended hours after the tree-lighting for shoppers.
Ellisville will follow suit on Friday, Dec. 5 with their own tree lighting at 5:30 at Community Bank Plaza in downtown.
The tree-lighting will include hot chocolate and cookies provided by the Ellisville Rotary Club.
Saturday morning will begin the busy day of festivities.
The Kiwanis Club of Laurel will host its annual Pancake Day from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. All-you-can-eat pancakes will be available at the YWCO on Oak Street and at First Baptist Church on 6th Avenue. Tickets cost $5 in advance and are available from Kiwanis Club members, or $6 at the door.
The Laurel Christmas Parade is scheduled to roll at 10 a.m., with a flyover by four Korean War-era fighter planes from Meridian, organizer Eric Byrd said. Duck Dynasty stars John Godwin and Justin Martin will serve as grand marshals of the annual parade.
The annual Ellisville Christmas parade was expanded into a Christmas festival set for 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Santa will meet-and-greet children at Bosun Joe’s all day. Popcorn, drinks and games will be available and music will be provided by blues musician T-Bone Pruitt, an Ellisville native.
There will be a Christmas Paws and Claws pageant, where one lucky pet will be named most festive. Several local rescue leagues will have animals for adoption.
Entertainment will be provided throughout the day and vendors will be on-hand. The Laurel Iris Society and EMA will sponsor a dessert contest. There will be a winner in the pie, cake, cookie and candy divisions. To enter the contest, call Geni Looney at 601-477-8111.
Lineup for motorized vehicles in the parade will be at the back entrance of Ellisville State School beginning at 12:45. Lineup for horses and any other pets or animals will be in the parking area across the street from the JCJC Fine Arts Building. First-, second- and third-place winners will be awarded. The parade themed “Santa Claws and Paws” will begin at 2 p.m. with local animal rescue groups as the grand marshals.
Parade entry is free. Candy is not allowed to be thrown at ESS, but stuffed animals and beads are welcome. Candy may be thrown downtown.
Jones Countians can wrap up the night on the other side of the county for Sandersville’s annual parade set to begin at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Christmas in the Village.” Lineup will start at 5 p.m. on Bostick Street.
There is no entry fee. All floats, cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs and horses are welcome. Floats will be judged for first-, second- and third-place trophies.
Next weekend, a parade will roll through Ovett. It’s set for Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. The military will serve as the grand marshal. Organizers are asking all veterans or current members of the military to ride on the float. For more information, call Patricia at 601-422-3189.
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