Downtown decorations are up and a jam-packed Christmas season is coming to town.

Christmas in Natchez — an effort that began six years ago to build a tourism season around the holidays — officially begins the day after Thanksgiving.

But city-wide decorating started days ago.

Christmas in Natchez Committee Co-chair Regina Charboneau said the city has added to its holiday décor.

“We have new bows for the garlands, decorations in the park and bluff and will have new bows for the top of the tree on Main Street,” she said.

Charboneau said she hopes to see Natchez light up this year during her favorite event, the annual turkey gumbo cook-off and the lighting of the tree at 4 p.m. Friday, on Main Street.

“The turkey gumbo cook-off has become one of our most popular events in Natchez,” Charboneau said. “Thanksgiving has already been a time in Natchez where everyone comes home, so it’s like a family reunion when the cook-off takes place.”

Shops will be decorated and ready for the season, Charboneau said, and Home Bank has partnered with Christmas in Natchez for the cook-off and lighting of the tree this year, providing hot chocolate, cookies and pictures with Santa in their lobby on Main Street.

Charboneau and co-chair Ginger Hyland work with the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce to organize Christmas-related events for the public.

“I think Christmas in Natchez is important in many ways,” Hyland said. “We have a committee group whose main focus is to spread the spirit of Christmas throughout the area.”

Hyland said she hopes the committee’s work makes the season wonderful for all.

“It’s very exciting, happy and fun to celebrate the holidays in Natchez,” Hyland said. “These events make Natchez a warm and fuzzy place during the holidays.”

Hyland’s house, The Towers, will have a jeweled Christmas tour this year from Nov. 29 until Dec. 21.

Friday’s kickoff will also include a children’s Christmas fun fair, holiday music and a special surprise following the lighting of the tree. The fair will begin at 2 p.m., the cook-off will take place at 4 p.m., and conclude with the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m.

For a full calendar of Christmas in Natchez events see today’s print edition.