By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Nov. 29, 2000
NEWTON A first-ever Christmas extravaganza will bring Miss Mississippi Christy May to the Roxy Theatre Saturday for Newton's Christmas Open House.
Sponsored by the Newton Chamber of Commerce, festivities begin at 10 a.m.
Organizers wanted May third runner-up in the Miss America Pageant to help with the celebration because she is serving as a wonderful representative for the state, Poole said.
Miss Newton County 2001 Ashley Walters will also attend. Tours of the Roxy run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and refreshments will be served. Walters and May will be there from 4 to 6 p.m. signing autographs.
Participating businesses will feature one-day-only specials and prize giveaways.
Children may bring their wish lists and have their pictures made with Santa Claus at the Newton Station Depot. Michelle Breland of Michelle's Photography will be there to take the photographs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Pink Ladies Newton Regional Hospital's Ladies Auxiliary will be at the Depot selling arts and crafts, also from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds will help buy hospital equipment.
Members of the Newton Theatre Company are collecting canned goods. Visitors are asked to bring one canned item.
Merchants are bracing for bargain-hunting shoppers.
She said small town merchants strive to put customer service first, helping customers find the perfect gift for "that special someone" and treating every person who walks through the doors to a "friendly, smiling face."
Poole said Newton merchants also offer diversity.
Participating merchants include Brand's Fabrics, Carquest, Country Peddler, Curves/Perfect Ten, DeCi's Diamonds, Factory Connection, Feldman's, Kenny's TV, McBeath's Drugs, Marcomm, Peace of Heaven, Piggly Wiggly, Pretty Presentations, Rainbow Rentals, Strebecks, This-N-That and Upton Drugs.
For more information, call 683-2201.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@meridianstar.com.
Christmas in East Mississippi:
The Quitman Christmas Parade, sponsored by the City of Quitman, will be held Dec. 1 beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot of First Baptist Church on East Franklin Street. Line-up is at 3:30. For more information, call 776-3728.
The Clarke County Homemakers Club will host Creative Christmas Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Multi-purpose Building in Quitman. There will be food and crafts. For more information or to reserve a table, call 776-3951.
The Kemper County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Christmas parade in DeKalb on Dec. 4. The theme is "Christmas Past." The parade will line up on Gewin Avenue facing south. Line-up is at 5 p.m., and the parade begins at 6. For applications, rules or information call 743-2754 or 485-6487.
Union's Christmas parade, sponsored by the Union Chamber of Commerce, will be held Dec. 5. This year's theme is "Christmas Blessings 2000." Line-up is at 4 p.m. For more information or entry forms, call 774-9586.
The Newton Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Newton Chamber of Commerce, will be held Dec. 7 beginning at 5:30 p.m. downtown. For more information, call 683-2201.
The Hickory Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the 2000 Christmas parade on Dec. 9. The line-up will begin at 3 p.m. in front of the Chamber building. To enter the parade, call 646-5439, 646-8870, 646-5624 or 646-2211.