There is a chill in the air and it finally is starting to feel like fall.  Before you know it the Holidays will be upon us.  It’s not too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and the Lighting of the Tree and Gumbo Cook-Off in downtown Natchez.  Home Bank is again the lead sponsor for the event and we are looking for some gumbo cooks to bring their best to the event.  Don’t worry, you can make your gumbo at home and bring it downtown to warm up and serve to the hungry crowd.  There will be a panel of judges to choose the Top 3; there is no fee to enter and you can win $200 for the top prize.

Don’t forget to decorate your area as there is also a prize for best booth.  You can pick up an entry from at any Home Bank location or visit www.christmasinnatchez.com or www.listenupyall.com.

On Friday November 24th, we need all you gumbo chefs to come show us what you are made of.  Bring your family and friends to come and enjoy the event.  At 3:30 p.m. Santa will arrive in style and he and Mrs. Claus will be inside Home Bank handing out cookies and hot chocolate.  From 4 to 8 p.m. for $10 you can purchase your gumbo tasting kit.  Along with gumbo tasting, there will be the North Pole Playground for the kids and a bungee trampoline for the adults.  $5 buys unlimited rides for the kids and $5 per jump for the adults.  We will have live blues music on the steps of Receivable Solutions, downtown stores will have Open House Specials and of course, we will have great pyrotechnics and snow as we light the Christmas Tree.  Stay after the tree lighting and DANCE AROUND THE TREE until 8 p.m.  Not only will we have music but also a food truck.  This event always draws a huge crowd to the center of town; come be part of the fun!

Home Bank is proud to be a part of the community and the lead sponsor of this family loved event.  We also appreciate our elves, The Markets, Natchez Ford and First Natchez Radio Group with their sponsorship as well as all the elves who help bring the event together.   Please enter to bring your gumbo and let’s make this the best gumbo cook-off ever!
Deanna L. Bowser is the Mississippi Market President of Home Bank.