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Parades, pancakes and Prancer’s Path highlight busy weekend in the Free State

’Tis that time of year again … the time that a drive through your hometown will reveal beautiful wreaths on street lights, angels gleaming from on high or glimpses of other festive decorations that flavor the Christmas season. Yes, the feeling of magic is in the air and this weekend will be a great opportunity for families to get out and be a part of the excitement.

The weekend kicks off at 5:30 p.m. today (Thursday) with the Mistletoe at Mason Lighting Event. Laurel’s largest and oldest park, located on North 7th Avenue between 15th and 20th streets, will again feature dazzling displays and the largest light show around.

Santa Claus will be taking a few minutes out of his busy schedule to drop by Soso on Friday evening. Sponsored by the Soso Garden Club, jolly Saint Nick will arrive and ride through the town at 5 p.m., making his way to the Soso fire station. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served, and photos with Santa will be taken for a $5 donation.

In Laurel on Friday, the Cadence Bank Christmas Tree lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Pinehurst Park in downtown Laurel. Christmas carols sung by candlelight will be a true experience that is not to be missed.

Following the Christmas tree lighting, the 41st annual Sertoma Christmas Parade will roll at 7 p.m. and wind through the streets of downtown Laurel.

“The parade is not a fundraiser for Sertoma, but a ‘thank you’ back to the community for all their support during the year,” Sertoma Club member Randy Holland said. Holland has been a member of the Laurel Sertoma Club since 1992. The grand marshal of this year’s parade will be the famous Clydesdale horses from Honey Island, La. The theme of the parade this year is “A Mississippi Christmas.”

Holland said he loves to see the looks on the kids’ faces when they see all the lights and sounds of the parade. “My favorite was last year and how large the crowd was.” This year’s edition promises to be even bigger and better.

Kristina Jenkins, an employee of First State Bank of Laurel, began the tradition of attending the Laurel parade when her son Memphis was born. Now years later, Memphis and his little sister Everlee love going to the parade each year to see the marching bands. Jenkins and her family love that the parade is a free event and enjoy it while seeing people they know.

Kerri Ayres of Sandersville grew up being on a float for the parade each year, and now, her kids have been in the parade for as long as she can remember. Her children have been a part of the Northeast Jones marching band, which is one of the highlighted bands each year. Her son John Marshall will be performing with the JC Maroon Typhoon this year.

“When they were little, they always loved Santa throwing candy and the music of the bands,” Ayers said.

Saturday morning, the Kiwanis Club of Laurel’s annual Pancake Day will get the day started at 7 a.m. featuring all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, along with milk, sodas and coffee. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The event will take place at the YWCO in downtown Laurel as well as the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church. The last pancake will be flipped and served at 1 p.m.

Lowell Howell has been faithfully flipping pancakes for the event for more than 30 years, going back to his days as a member of the Laurel High School Key Club. For him, it is a family tradition.

“My father was in the Kiwanis Club for many years,” Howell said. “There are several of us in the club whose fathers were members. They set a good example of service for us.” Proceeds from the event provide college scholarships for deserving high school seniors, and multiplication and division flash cards for every third-grade student in Laurel/Jones County.

“This is our ‘joy’ as Kiwanis members,” Howell said.

Ellisville will also be hosting its Christmas in the ’Ville on Saturday. Ashli Hernandez, owner of the Coffeehouse at Brookside and president of The Ellis Club, loves the tradition, she said. “I am a sucker for a Hallmark Christmas,” Hernandez said.

At the George Harrison Building, next to the Ellisville Public Library, there will be a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 or $12 at the door. Children 5 and under eat for free.

The Ellisville Christmas parade will begin Saturday at 2 p.m. Following the parade, the South Jones Jazz Band and the Jones College Carolers will perform holiday classics in the Community Bank Park.

At 5:30 p.m., the festivities will conclude with the lighting of the Ellisville Christmas tree, also at Community Bank Park in downtown Ellisville.

“I love that so many people have come together to create events that families can enjoy together that are free or mostly free, experiencing the holidays as a community,” Hernandez said.

On Saturday night, it will be Sandersville’s turn to host its annual Christmas parade. This year’s theme is “Christmas - Make a Joyful Noise.” The parade will get started at 6 p.m. and will welcome marching bands, floats, and, of course, Santa.

Sunday, the Fidelia Club of Ellisville will host its fourth annual Christmas Tour of Homes. The tour will take place from 2-4 p.m. and the cost is a $10 donation. There will be six homes and also the historic Ellisville Presbyterian Church on the tour, as well as the Deason House, Jones County’s oldest home. Tickets will be available at the Fidelia Club booth at Christmas in the ’Ville Saturday.

“The homes will blow you away with their decorations,” Fidelia Club president Terri Mitchell said. “We are excited.”

Christmas events

Mistletoe at Mason Park: Today (Thursday), 5:30-8 p.m. — Light display opens at Laurel’s largest park

Santa comes to Soso: Friday, 5 p.m. — Take photos with Santa and enjoy snacks and cocoa at the fire station

Laurel Christmas tree lighting: Friday, 5:30 p.m. — Pinehurst Park in downtown Laurel, sponsored by Cadence Bank

Sertoma Club of Laurel Christmas Parade: Friday,

7 p.m. — Downtown Laurel

Kiwanis Club Pancake Day: Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Downtown YWCO and First Baptist Church, Tickets are $10/$12 at door

Ellisville Pancake Day: Saturday, 7-10 a.m. — George Harrison Center, sponsored by the Ellis Club, Tickets are $10/$12 at door

Ellisville Christmas Parade: Saturday, 2 p.m. — Parade rolls from Jones College through downtown and back

Christmas in the ’Ville: After the parade — Community Bank Park, featuring music from South Jones Elementary third-graders

Ellisville Christmas tree lighting: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. — Community Bank Park in downtown

Sandersville Christmas Parade: Saturday, 6 p.m. — Main Street in Sandersville

Landrum’s Homestead Christmas: Every Saturday from 4-8 p.m. — Highway 15 South in Laurel

Prancer’s Path: Open every day at The Back Lot,

250 North Magnolia St.

Ellisville Tour of Homes Sunday, 2-4 p.m. — Sponsored by the Ellisville Fidelia Club, tickets are $10

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