NATCHEZ — The weekend should raise a lot of Christmas spirit this weekend with parades scheduled Saturday in Natchez and Sunday in Vidalia.

The Natchez parade will be held 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Debbie Hudson, president of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce, said the parade would run a reversed route from its norm this year and also will have some special guests.

Hudson said the parade has a new starting point this year. Lineup will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday at Madison Street on the Broadway Street side and begin at the Callon parking lot. The parade will travel along Franklin Street, turn right on Union Street, down Main Street, left on Canal Street, go right on Rosalie Street and turn right down Broadway and end up where it began.

The state champion Adams County Christian School football team will lead this year’s parade and representatives from Taco Bell, which sponsored the city Christmas tree, will serve as masters of ceremonies. Two other special guests will be the Natchezian Woman of the Year Renee Cantu and Man of the Year Dave Kimbro.

Of course, Santa Claus will be riding along, as will Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell. Hudson said lots of candy would be thrown and music will fill the route with the participation by the Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Vidalia and Natchez Middle School bands.

Hudson said she is anticipating beautiful weather for the approximately one-hour parade. She also said volunteers wearing fluorescent vests would provide assistance as needed.

Vidalia

The fun will continue Sunday in Vidalia where the Vidalia Women’s Club’s Vidalia Christmas Parade will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday and will begin at Vidalia Upper Elementary School and travel along Carter Street to the Vidalia High School.

Stephanie Craft, parade chairwoman, said this year’s event is a comeback of sorts for the town because the parade was rained out in 2016 and last year’s bridge construction resulted in a smaller than usual turnout.

The theme of this year’s parade is “A Groovy Christmas. “ Craft said plenty of Christmas-themed floats would be in the parade along with some sporting 1970s themes.

Pattie Reed Jones, who organizes the Gifts Raised in the South care packages for soldiers overseas, will be this year’s grand marshal. Other participants include the Vidalia High School marching band and dance team, the River City Bad Boys Car Club and last but not least, Santa Claus.

Cash prizes will be awarded in the large and small categories based on appearance and creativity.