I would like to welcome everyone to a new “Christmas In Natchez” event.

Step back in time and enjoy the Christmas holidays the old-fashioned way with the English author, Charles Dickens, as the Jefferson Street Methodist Choir will begin singing at 6 p.m. today in Memorial Park of  St. Mary Basilica.

I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy singing Christmas Carols.

We are trying to recreate the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Natchez architecture as the backdrop. Choir members will be dressed in costume; Santa will make his appearance around 6:30 p.m. and hot chocolate will be served.

Hopefully, this will be the first of an event that will continue to grow in volunteers, choirs from all churches, locals and tourists attendance each year.

Next year, possibly, we can add characters such Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim Cratchit along with his parents from “A Christmas Carol,” and a Victorian father and mother Christmas with treats for children.

In many towns and cities such as Franklin, Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Skaneateles, New York, events just like this one are becoming their most popular event, bringing locals and tourists out to celebrate Christmas, which as you know is widely celebrated as the most wonderful time of the year.

Those areas mentioned above do not have as many antebellum homes, the brick sidewalks, 200 years and older trees and so much more as we do in Natchez. We have this beautiful town with so much history. We must market it and get more folks here.

Charles Dickens book suggest, it has this magical idea that in spite of all our differences, we can make something good happen, something, which, in this day and age, is important to remind ourselves of.

Hope to see everyone out at 6 p.m. today at the Memorial Park of St. Mary Basilica. For those interested to join us for next year, please contact me at 601-807-5260.

Jackie Wild is a Christmas In Natchez Committee member, owner of Magnolia Cottage B&B, and president of Natchez Bed and Breakfast Association.