LELAND — Due to expected rains and possible thunderstorms Saturday, Nov. 30, the Christmas on Deer Creek celebrations have been postponed a day.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, rain is expected to start before noon Saturday and continue throughout the day. Sunday, Dec. 1, is expected to be a sunny day with temperatures reaching a high of 57 degrees during the day and a low of 35 at night.
The holiday fun will start at 3 p.m. with a new children's Christmas parade, which will take place in downtown Leland. The parade line up will start around 2:45 p.m. behind Leland City Hall.
Only children ages 12 and younger are permitted to participate, and the only requirement for being in the parade is all participants and vehicles must be dressed and decorated in Christmas-themed attire. For any vehicles, including golf carts and cars alike, an adult ages 18 or older must be driving.
The parade is not just limited to children in Leland, Brocato said, noting all children in Washington County are welcome to participate.
“We are giving prizes for the best decoration, whether it’s a golf cart or whatever,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll have a lot of people sign up, I think it’ll be a pretty good turnout and something fun to do.”
From 4:30-6 p.m., there will be singers and bands on-hand to sing Christmas melodies along the Rainbow Connection Bridge, including, Tony Proctor and George Graves, the Smoking Gun Band and the Leland High School Choir. A light show will also be performed by Delta Outdoor Theater.
To top off the evening, Santa Claus, himself, will make his debut along Deer Creek at 6 p.m.
The Leland Fire Department will be on the bridge with their spotlight, helping folks search for Santa as he makes his way up the creek.
“It’s a lot of fun for the kids. The music plays, ‘Here Comes Santa Claus,’ as he comes down the creek,” Brocato said.
That evening, the about 30 floats along Deer Creek will also shine for the first time this year.
After Santa gets off his sleigh, he will head over to the Methodist Church for children to take pictures with him. Unlike years’ past, there will not be a chili supper to coincide the picture-taking.
While Santa takes pictures at the church, Kermit the Frog and Big Bird will be at the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Exhibit for folks to visit and take pictures with, too. Folks will be welcome to take a look around the gift shop and make any Christmas gift purchases.
