Calhoun County families will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving next week, which means Christmas activities are close.
A flurry of Christmas events around the county will begin Saturday, Nov. 30 with “Christmas in the City” on the Calhoun City Square. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with selfies with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, face painting, reindeer food, carriage rides and more all taking place.
There will also be a ceremonial lighting of all the lamp posts and the town Christmas tree.
The Christmas Tour of Homes in Bruce sponsored by the Fine Arts Club will be Sunday, Dec. 1. Mr. and Mrs. Chance Inman, Mr. and Mrs. Duke McCrory and Ms. Barbara Winter will welcome visitors into their homes from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets will be $8 and are available in advance at BancorpSouth, Jeffery’s and City Hall. They will be available the day of the tour at Bruce United Methodist Church along with maps to the three homes.
The fun events will continue Thursday, Dec. 5 with the annual Bruce Rotary Christmas Auction at the Bruce Museum. The Bruce Rotary Club’s annual auction, which dates back more than 60 years, will offer a soup and cornbread supper along with the traditional excitement of a live auction.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. where everyone can begin to enjoy supper while checking out the many items up for bid in the 6 p.m. auction. Items will include toys, pallets of Banner sod, tools, local services and much more.
The first of several county parades will be Saturday, Dec. 7 with the Lion’s Club sponsoring the annual Bruce Christmas Parade. Smokey Barefield is this year’s grand marshal.
The parade will follow a number of events held throughout the day including the Bruce Twentieth Century Club’s annual “Pancakes with Santa” in the Bruce Museum.
In addition to a pancake breakfast from 8:30-10:30 a.m., children will be able to get their pictures made with Santa and hear stories from Mrs. Claus.
Santa will move to the gazebo on the square from 2-3:30 p.m. to visit with children. Santa must leave promptly at 3:30 p.m. to prepare for the Christmas Parade which begins at 4:30 p.m.
The parade theme will be “Red, White and Blue Christmas.” Each float will receive expense money and prizes will be awarded for the top three entries. There is no charge to be in the parade. For more information call Jerry Janci, 662-412-2029.
The Calhoun City Christmas Parade will begin that same night, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “United We Stand.”
To enter the parade or for more information contact the Calhoun City Chamber at 628-6990.
Vardaman’s Christmas Parade will be Monday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Grand marshals will be Ann Morgan and Melissa Edmondson.
The fire department will be offering gumbo, chili and potato soup at the Front Porch.
The Calhoun County Community Choir will have their Christmas Concert Friday, Dec. 13 at Bruce First Baptist Church at 7 p.m.
The final parade in the county will be the 20th annual Big Creek “Redneck” Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
The parade will be held rain or shine and lineup will begin at 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place “redneck” entries.
Other area Christmas parade dates include Dec. 2 in Oxford and Pontotoc, Dec. 3 in Houston and Tupelo.