Vicksburg’s Main Street Program is gearing up for the holidays with several planned events.

Putting the THANKS back into Thanksgiving, a downtown shopping event, will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 12 along Washington Street. Another shopping event, Old Fashioned Christmas, is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 29. At 5 p.m. Dec. 5, the annual Downtown Vicksburg Christmas Parade of Lights will roll along Washington Street.

Main Street is also seeking groups to go caroling downtown during December.

Call 601-634-4527 or visit www.downtownvicksburg.org.

More weather lovers sought for program

The Mississippi chapter of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, or CoCoRaHs, is seeking weather observers.

The organization has a Vicksburg presence, but volunteers are also needed in Yazoo, Holmes, Humphreys, Carroll, Coahoma, Panola, Quitman, Scott, Sunflower, Tallahatchie and Tunica counties.

In the program, volunteer weather enthusiasts collect data through a rain gauge and funnel the numbers into a national system through the Internet or a call center. Membership is free, but volunteers must purchase their own rain gauge.

For more information, call Warren County coordinator Bill Ford at 601-636-1728.

Talent show set for Halloween

Champ Productions in Vicksburg is seeking participants for a Halloween comedy show, So Funny, It’s Scary.

The event, set for 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 31 at the American Legion Post 3 on Monroe Street, will feature comedian BJ Johnson of San Antonio.

Individuals will perform in a set.

Admission is $7 per person and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit disabled veterans.

Call 601-535-7782 for more information.

Local teacher wins honor for song

A Vicksburg teacher has received recognition in an online song competition.

Gwendolyn Yates is one of about 50 people who was named a Suggested Artist in August by the Song of the Year competition. Her song is called “Faith Walker.”

Yates’ name is listed at www.songoftheyear.com/winners/2009/runners/august/suguar.htm.

Song of the Year is a supporter of VH-1’s Save the Music campaign.

Yates teaches GED math at Grove Street School, and is a published poet. She is the daughter of Lillian Lee, and attends Standfield New Life Christian Church.