Wouldn’t it be great to have the crowds of balloon race for an entire month? It can be done. Decorate your house for Christmas and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

Christmas is a multi-billion dollar industry, and Natchez should be profiting heavily off of lodging, food and retail products during the holiday season.

All we have to do is create a reason for people to come here. Which is where you come in.

We’re asking everyone to light up their houses this Christmas. While we hope to encourage some over-the-top decorations, even a few strands of lights is better than nothing. Let’s make Natchez the Christmas destination for tourists that want to “get in the holiday spirit.”

It will be exciting for the locals too — imagine how amazing our historical downtown will be outlined in thousands of magical twinkling lights! No other town in Mississippi has truly capitalized on the holiday season, why shouldn’t it be us?

To offer some extra lighting encouragement, the Christmas in Natchez committee will be holding a decorating contest with several different categories.

They include: residential awards (most over-the-top, best traditional decor, most out-of-the-box) and business awards (best downtown business, most over-the-top tour home).

On Dec. 8, the judges will make their rounds through downtown Natchez.

If you live in the historic downtown area, you will automatically be considered for the awards.

We certainly want those outside of these areas to participate as well; just e-mail us at christmasinnatchez@gmail.com with your address so the judges will know to drop by!

Our beautiful historical downtown will make the perfect Christmas destination.

The Natchez lights committee is working day and night to create new events such as the ice skating rink on the bluff that will attract tourists and locals alike.

Check out www.christmasinnatchez.com for a schedule of events, and invite your out-of-town friends in for the festivities.

Help us turn Natchez into a living, breathing Christmastown.

If you light it, they will come!

 

Vicki Eastland is a member of the Christmas in Natchez committee.