The Christmas season in Natchez is special. We all know that. To outsiders, some of our traditions may look a little nutty.

We erect an enormous Christmas tree right in the middle of Main Street and on Christmas Eve, local businessmen make a traveling party of sorts around the area as the lead the Santa Claus Committee’s annual parade.

But what’s most special is our community is what’s not necessarily visible to the passing traveler. It’s our people.

Locals know something special. Our community is filled with some pretty fantastic people who volunteer their time, donate money and work for others.

It’s pretty cool when you think about it.

Just this week as we continue our Season of Wishes series, we are reminded of just how amazing many people in our community truly are.

From volunteers who organize events like Christmas caroling and the upcoming New Year’s Eve firework display to the wonderful volunteers with Trinity Episcopal Church who donate their time to make nursing home residents feel loved and special, our community is blessed.

We are blessed to live in a beautiful part of the world, with a gorgeous view of one of the world’s mightiest rivers off our front porch, but more impressive still, we have some beautiful, caring people who make a difference in each other’s lives.

And that’s what makes Christmas in Natchez so magical.