The finals days before Christmas are ticking away, and to help keep the holiday season merry and bright a full slate of events featuring songs, Santa and a parade are set for this weekend.
Songs of the season will fill the air tonight during the final preliminary round of the annual V105.5 Christmas Caroling Contest begins at 6 p.m. at Vicksburg Convention Center, 1600 Mulberry St.
This year, 55 groups and soloists are competing in eight divisions for a share of a $10,100 purse, said Mark Jones, owner of the local radio station.
“All of the choirs awarded first prize will win $1,000 and the top prizes awarded in the solo division will win $300,” said Jones.
Finalist will be announced after the performances tonight and the final night of competition will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Admission to the performances is $5 and free for ages 12 and younger. For more information, call 601-883-0848.
On Friday, Santa comes to town aboard Kansas City Southern Railroad’s Holiday Express, which the train will roll in at 4 p.m. to the iconic former rail depot at 1010 Levee St.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Santa and his elves tour a portion of the six-car train. For more information, visit www.kcsouthern.com.
Santa will be a busy man on Saturday — starting his day out early with the Pajamas, Pancakes & Planes Breakfast with Santa at the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, which will be held at Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport, 75 VTR Airport Road.
Two seatings are scheduled — 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. — and will include breakfast from McDonalds and a photo with Santa. The cost is $10 and participants are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas.
For more information, call 318-574-2731 or email info@southerheritageair.org.
Looking for that unique gift or just wanting to watch local talent from area students?
The seventh annual Holly Days Arts and Crafts Show will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and will run until 3 p.m. at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, 1302 Adams St.
This year more than 25 vendors will be selling their wares, said Stacey Massey, the executive director of the SCHC.
“We are completely full this year, so it should be a good show,” she said.
Local dancers and music students will perform throughout the day Massey said.
Admission for the event is $1 and on-site lunch will be available by Goldies Express.
For more information, call 601-631-2997, www.southernculture.org.
At 10 a.m., little ones can gather around the make-shift living room inside of Lorelei Books, 1103 Washington St. and hear Jenny Byars reading “Pete the Cat Saves Christmas.”
For more information, call 601-634-8624 or email customerservice@loreleibooks.com.
Wrapping up his busy day, Santa is set to ride in Vicksburg Main Street’s annual Christmas Parade of Lights, which will begin at 5 p.m.
For more information about the parade, call 601-634-4527 or visit www.downtownvicksburg.org.
The weekend’s holiday events wrap up Sunday with a performance of the Nutcracker presented by Vicksburg Dance Studio. The ballet begins at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Blvd. Admission is $10 and seating is reserved.
For more information or tickets call 601-636-9389 or visit www.vicksburgdancestudio.com.