The first week of December begins a festive holiday season for downtown Forest and surrounding communities. In Forest, the Citizens of the Year reception is set for Thursday, December 4, from 3:30 until 5:00 p.m. and the Annual Christmas Parade is Friday, December 5, at 6:00 p.m. This year’s honorees are Harry and Diane Robinson. The reception is in Colbert Commons. The parade theme is Hometown Christmas. A new event Coco Nights and Christmas Lights Fun Run is in the works for Sunday, December 7 downtown from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m.
The Morton Christmas Parade (Christmas Wishes and Disney Dreams) is scheduled for Monday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m., the Sebastopol Christmas Parade is set for Tuesday, December 2, also at 6:00 p.m., and the Lake parade will be held on Saturday, December 6. In Lake, festivities begin at 3:30 and the parade starts at 4:30 p.m.
The theme for the Lake parade is A Winter Wonderland Christmas. There will be food trucks set up, and entertainment from the stage downtown. There also be an opportunity for photos with Santa after the parade. In addition, First Baptist Church Lake will be showing a movie following the parade and there will be a snow globe making class at the library.
Chris Anderson will be the emcee for the Lake events. Anderson is billed as a “skilled musician with a strong local presence, having performed at numerous events throughout the state.” He lives in the Lake community with his wife Blair and their two children. Organizers encourage attendees “to arrive early, bring a chair, and enjoy the sounds of Chris and other local talent before the Christmas parade.” Anderson will begin at 3:30 pm.
Sebastopol will also be hosting the annual Small Town Christmas event on Sunday, December 7, from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Co-op Community Center at Bishop Park. There will be musical entertainment, Santa will be there, as well as shopping, food, crafts, and the lighting of the town Christmas tree all culminated with a fireworks show.
Among other holiday events, Roosevelt State Park in Morton is hosting the 3rd Annual Santa on Wheels Toy Drive & Car Show. Organizers say “bring the family and enjoy a festive day at Roosevelt State Park.”
Events include:
• Car Show – register by bringing a toy donation
• Entertainment, food & craft vendors
• Ornament Station & Barrel Train Ride
• Pancakes with Santa starting at 9:00 a.m.
• Photos with Santa
All donations will benefit LifeSpring Ministries and help local families in need. Attendees are encouraged to bring additional donations such as food or toiletries.
Regular park admission applies and an additional $5 per child covers Pancakes with Santa, barrel train rides, and the ornament station.
For more information, contact Tyler Hines at 601-732-6316 or email robert.hines@wfp.ms.gov.
