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A reindeer sits at the center of the refreshment table during the Jingle and Mingle fundraiser Thursday evening at Stanton Hall. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

A silent auction raises funds to support Christmas in Natchez, which hosts free events for the community during the holidays. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Guests are entertained by live music. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Festive decorations sit inside Stanton Hall on a warm August evening on Thursday for the Jingle and Mingle fundraiser for Christmas in Natchez. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Maxwell Watson is dressed like Santa Claus in a tropical shirt and sits in a convertible for the Christmas in Natchez fundraiser on Thursday evening. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Hayden Butts and fiancé Jessica Cauthen pose for a picture with the Christmas tree at the Jingle and Mingle fundraiser. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

A silent auction raises funds to support Christmas in Natchez, which hosts free events for the community during the holidays. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Giant nutcracker decorations stand tall outside of Stanton Hall on a warm August evening on Thursday for the Jingle and Mingle fundraiser for Christmas in Natchez. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Maxwell Watson is dressed like Santa Claus in a tropical shirt and sits in a convertible for the Christmas in Natchez fundraiser on Thursday evening. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

A reindeer sits at the center of the refreshment table during the Jingle and Mingle fundraiser Thursday evening at Stanton Hall. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

The Christmas in Natchez board hosted a Jingle and Mingle fundraiser on Thursday to raise money for new Christmas ornaments and free activities for the community around the holidays. (Submitted)

NATCHEZ — A fundraising event for Christmas in Natchez brought holiday decorations and spirit to Stanton Hall on a warm August evening on Thursday.

Tropical shirts and beach floaties mixed with giant nutcrackers and reindeer decorations at the Jingle and Mingle fundraiser.

All event proceeds support Christmas in Natchez, which provides free activities to the community around the holidays as well as decorations for festivities all without incurring additional expense to taxpayers, said Christmas in Natchez Board President Diane Dupont.

All the activities that happen during Christmas — the tree lighting, the village on the bluff and a meet and greet with Santa on the Natchez Bluff bandstand — are free for anyone to be a part of thanks to the group’s fundraising efforts every year, she said.

“This year we’re raising money for more ornaments for the big tree in the heart of downtown and more garland for the streets. Also, we’re trying to raise enough for an ice skating rink in the Christmas village (on the bluff).”

Another big change this year to the tree lighting is the use of electronic laser lights and a snow machine instead of pyrotechnics for the annual tree lighting event, which draws hundreds to the middle of Natchez each year on the last Saturday of November.

This change is being made because sparks from the pyrotechnic show, which were sent flying over a 34-foot-tall tree, were flying right over power lines in the 100 block of Main and Commerce streets where the event was held, creating a fire hazard.

Dupont said the cost is nearly the same for the laser show or pyrotechnic show.

Next to the tree is a winter wonderland that has activities and rides for children to enjoy up to the tree lighting event, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 30.

The Natchez community donated several hot items to a silent auction for the festivities on Thursday.

“American Cruise Lines donated two eight-night trips for this, which is a huge deal,” Dupont said.

Dupont said anyone interested in being a vendor for the Christmas Village on the Bluff, which is open weekends throughout the holiday season, may contact her directly at 512-665-1166.

“This year it’s not going to be tied to the boats necessarily, so it will have different shorter hours,” she said.

Anyone who missed the festivities Thursday but would still like to support Christmas in Natchez may donate anytime online at www.christmasinnatchez.org.

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