Christmas in Natchez began twinkling long before the lights on the famous Main Street tree flipped on last year.

But it was in that light-switch moment — with the smells of turkey gumbo all around — that the public realized this new Christmas star might shine brighter than the others.

The Christmas tree lighting ceremony was well organized, well attended and, well, fun.

The event, tied to a turkey gumbo cook-off, was the opening night of the brand new Christmas in Natchez: City of Lights season and the culmination of a year’s worth of planning.

But more important, the lighting and a long list of Christmas events that followed, were the perfect example of what happens when community members step up and lead projects government can’t seem to handle.

Ginger Hyland, a fairly recent transplant to town, got the initial ball rolling.

She walked into the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce, introduced herself to chamber President Debbie Hudson and shared her dream of making Christmas a big deal in Natchez.

Like any good, busy manager of people, Hudson praised the idea but pointedly told Hyland she’d need to lead it herself.

Soon, Hyland and Hudson had pulled in Regina Charboneau and the shiny Christmas ball was rolling.

Between January and December 2009, the long-lost International Paper Christmas displays were found by Laura Godfrey and several were restored by Mike Lomasney.

Others joined the Christmas in Natchez committee and the calendar of holiday events got longer and longer.

But despite the success of the first year, the volunteer organizers were quick to promise one thing — “Next year will be better.”

Next year is just a few weeks away, and I don’t believe this group of people intends to disappoint.

The lighting of Longwood has been added to the list of events, and several tour routes to see the lights of Natchez have been mapped out.

Though some events have a ticket price — the Longwood Gala for $40 and the Champagne and Candlelight tour of Linden and The Burn at $30 are among the most expensive — many are free and open to the public.

The tree lighting on the day after Thanksgiving is the first free event, followed by concerts at the Eola Hotel at 5 p.m. every Thursday and at St. Mary Basilica on Dec. 5, the parade Dec. 3 and Caroling in the Memorial Park Dec. 19, among other things.

The combination of a few ritzy, paid events with several laid-back free options caters perfectly to the wide-range of people living in our community and also to visiting tourists.

Continuing to grow Christmas in Natchez and share word of it with our friends and family will only bring more people to town, matching the original goal of the organizers.

As the third season of tourism in Natchez joins Spring and Fall Pilgrimage, it’s the community members who deserve the praise.

Whether it’s Christmas, fundraising to restore the Memorial Park fountain or simply cutting overgrown grass away from a city welcome sign, the outcome is the same. Our community is full of movers and shakers who can make things happen when government doesn’t.

It’s these people that put the twinkle in Natchez’s eye.

Julie Cooper is the managing editor of The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at 601-445-3551 or julie.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.