Today
Book signing, tasting — Former MSU Bulldog and NFL player Reggie Kelly signs books from 2-4 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus. Tastings of Kelly’s Kyvan salsas, sauces and food products will be offered. Autographed mini-footballs to the first 50 children attending. Call 662-329-1191 for more information.
Last OCC collection days — Get them in: Operation Christmas Child boxes will be accepted today 1-5 p.m. and Monday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Columbus Collection Center at the Boy Scout Hut in the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market lot, Second Avenue and Second Street North, Columbus. Monday is the final day.
Monday, Nov. 23
Symphony orchestra — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Orchestra and MSU Department of Music presnts a joint concert featuring Vivaldi’s “Gloria” at 7:30 p.m. in McComas Hall on the Mississippi State campus. Free. Visit starkvillesymphony.org.
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Country Store Bake Sale — The 55th annual Country Store Bake Sale to benefit the Stephen D. Lee Foundation takes place at the S.D. Lee Home, 316 Seventh St. N., from 10 a.m.-noon (will close earlier if sold out). Shoppers may pick up numbers beginning at 8 a.m. at the Lee Home, for a place in line before doors open. Be there early for a wide selection of cakes, pies, candies, breads, jellies and more to complete the Thanksgiving table. For more information, call 662-327-3193.
Monday, Nov. 30
Columbus Tree Lighting — Gather at the Riverwalk’s Old 82 pedestrian bridge east end for the official lighting of the community Christmas tree. Festivities are 5:30-7 p.m.; lighting takes place at 6:15 p.m. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Starkville Christmas Parade — “A Star Spangled Christmas” is the theme of Starkville’s Christmas parade that begins at 6 p.m. and makes its way through downtown. For more information, contact Main Street Starkville, 662-323-3322.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
Criss Christmas concert — The Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus. Free. For more information, email Dr. Michael Brown, [email protected] or call 662-325-3070.
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 2-3
Holiday Bazaar — This 43rd annual Holiday Bazaar in Starkville is 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane. More than 90 vendors’ hand-crafted items are featured. For more information, call 662-323-3322 or email [email protected].
Friday, Dec. 4
Wassail Fest — Downtown Columbus is filled with holiday festivities as merchants court your vote for best wassail from 5-8 p.m. Music, in-store demos, promotions and more. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Wassail at The W — Wassailing continues at Mississippi University for Women’s Pohl Gymnasium from 8-10 p.m. Highlights include carriage rides, indoor ice skating area, photos with the Ice Queen, crafts, refreshments and more.
Sunday, Dec. 6
Christmas floral design — The Columbus Arts Council presents “Christmas All Through the House,” a floral design event with internationally-known designer Ralph Null. Tickets to the 1:30 p.m. program at the Rosenzweig Arts Center are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. An auction of arrangements follows the presentation. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Columbus Girlchoir — The Columbus Girlchoir presents a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. in Mississippi University for Women’s Poindexter Hall. Free to the public. Donations are appreciated.
Gospel Harmony Choir — The Mississippi University for Women United Harmony Gospel Choir presents “Singing to Give Back,” a Christmas concert at 5 p.m. in Rent Auditorium on campus. Bring a canned good or other non-perishable food item, socks, blankets, scarves or gloves for CONTACT Helpline to distribute. Call 662-327-2968 for more information.
Holiday Tour of Homes — The Starkville Civic League’s Tour of Homes from 1-5 p.m. features five homes. Refreshments served 1-4:30 p.m. at the Starkville Public Library, 326 University Drive. Get tickets ($20) at the library on tour day, or in advance at the GSDP, 200 E. Main St. For more information, contact Chris Emplaincourt at [email protected], or call 662-323-0711.
Christmas Carol Karaoke — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council hosts this Sundays at The Center program at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., downtown West Point. Call 662-494-5678 for information.
Monday, Dec. 7
West Point Christmas Parade — West Point’s Christmas Parade, with its theme of a Cajun Christmas, begins at 6:30 p.m. and makes its way through downtown. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
“Columbus Sings Messiah” — An area mass choir plus orchestra presents “Messiah” at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, 823 College St., Columbus. Free, but tickets to ensure seating will soon be available at the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. For more information, contact First United Methodist Church, 662-328-5252.
Thursday, Dec. 10
Festival of Trees — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library hosts an open house and Festival of Trees from 4-6 p.m., with live music, refreshments and almost two dozen trees decorated by area groups and businesses. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Friday through Sunday,
Dec. 11-13
First Christmas — First Baptist Church in Columbus and the Shops at Brickerton present this reenactment of Bethlehem from 6-8 p.m. each evening at the Shops at Brickerton on Military Road, Columbus. The interactive event is for all ages. For more information, contact FBC, 662-328-3915.
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