Sumrall is gearing up for its annual Olde Town Christmas Festival this weekend.
To kick off activities, the Sumrall Development Foundation will host a live nativity, complete with a live camel, Friday, Nov. 30, in Beam Park, located on the west side of Hwy. 589 underneath the water tower in downtown Sumrall. Local churches and organizations will come together to sing during this event. Those attending are urged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy this magical night.
There will also be a tour of businesses from 5-7 p.m. Friday.
To kick off activities on Saturday, Dec. 1, Cotton Ginnovations will be serving hot biscuits and coffee starting at 8 a.m.
The Olde Town Christmas Festival gets underway on Main Street at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Now in its 10th year, the festival has continued to grow each year.
There will be arts and crafts vendors, music, a variety of foods, and even a parade at 2 p.m., which Sumrall is known for, to get people in the Christmas spirit. And Santa will be on hand to hear the wishes of good girls and boys.
At 2:30 p.m., nine new angels, placed in memory of citizens who have passed away, will be dedicated. This annual tradition features illuminated angels placed along Main Street during the holidays.
The tradition began in 1999 when families of some 20 teenagers who had passed away at an early age, purchased angels to hang along Main Street in their memory. Today, the number of angels has grown to more than 50.
Mayor Heath Sumrall and others were busy getting those put up earlier this week.
“I would like to invite everyone to come out and enjoy the Christmas festivities this weekend in downtown Sumrall,” the mayor said. “On the night of Nov. 30, come out and see the real reason for the season – a live nativity scene atop the hill on Columbia Avenue, and visit some of the downtown businesses for open house and refreshments.
“I encourage all who can to come to Sumrall and share in the fellowship and activities of this wonderful time of year!”
Also a part of the holiday festivities will be the presentation of “A Sanders Family Christmas” by the Sumrall Community Theatre. The performances follow Smoke on the Mountain, an earlier Sanders Family production by the theatrical group.
The Christmas production takes place as the Sanders family gathers in the Blue Ridge Mountains on Christmas Eve 1941. The Sanders family teaches the true meaning of Christmas in this musical/play.
Show times are 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at Cotton Ginnovations.
Adult tickets are $15 and tickets for children under 12 are $10 and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Plum Trophy Sales, or Swilley Vanilli in Sumrall or Main Street Café in Collins.
For more information, call 601.270.5328.
