This year I am especially looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving, not because it is “Black Friday” the busiest shopping day of the year, but it is the official kick off of “Christmas in Natchez.”

On Nov. 29, we gather everyone downtown for shopping, eating and to enjoy a great event. Along with all the shops opening then, there will be a turkey gumbo cook off, the ceremony of the lighting of the tree and turning the lights of Natchez on.

Many people have asked me “Why do you think people would want to come to Natchez during the Christmas season?”

For me this is simple. Christmas is a warm and wonderful holiday for so many people, and this is what we have to offer:

-People love Natchez any time of the year.

-Our average temperature this time of the season is 51-61 degrees (there are many people that consider that almost tropical this time of year).

-The Towers, which is decorated unlike any house in America for the Holidays. It is going to be a holiday treasure for years to come.

-Gorgeous historic churches with amazing concerts.

-Unique shops and so many one-of-a-kind restaurants.

-Animated Christmas displays on the bluff.

-Christmas Cabaret.

-New decorations for our Christmas tree on Main Street.

-Ice Skating on the bluff with a cheerleading competition.

-Candlelight tour of the Burn, Libations at Linden and Tea at Twin Oaks

-Tours of Natchez B&B’s.

-Breakfast with Santa at Dunleith and the Briars.

-Where else does Santa have a police escort?

-Never forget our view of the Mississippi River.

-Best of all, we have you, all the people of Natchez who are so hospitable and wonderful to all who visit Natchez.

Why you need to light up?

Several years ago there was a meeting trying to think of ideas to help Natchez.

Two new residents came up with the idea for everyone to turn their porch lights on. Something that simple brings instant warmth to visitors as they enter our town. Personally, I thought it was one of the best ideas that came from the meeting. I am urging everyone in Natchez to decorate as much as you can for Christmas in Natchez.

This is building our Christmas season into something so wonderful for our town. Now with LED lights and timers, it is not costly to light up. Our hard-working Christmas committee is asking everyone to turn your porch lights on from dark until whatever time you see fit, all year. Let’s light up Natchez.

When you have lived here for long periods of time, you may not notice the beauty outsiders see when they come visit our wonderful town. Our visitors see all the preserved architecture, a city set on one of the most scenic parts of the Mississippi River, a downtown that has life to it, a variety of restaurants, new shops and things to do.

Let’s turn our lights on to show how proud we are of our town.

 

Regina Charboneau is the Christmas in Natchez sponsor.