Sherry Smythe, a driving force behind Leland’s downtown revitalization and the beloved “Christmas on Deer Creek” festival, delivered an inspiring address at the Greenville Rotary Club Thursday, sharing both her personal journey and the community spirit that fuels her work.
Revitalizing Leland’s Heart
Smythe, owner of Langiappe and vice president of the Leland Chamber of Commerce, recounted how the vision for “Christmas on Deer Creek” began with watching the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas during sleepless nights, dreaming about bringing similar festivities to her town. Years ago, buildings in downtown Leland were crumbling and businesses shuttered, but Smythe’s determination led her to spearhead restoration efforts, purchasing and rehabbing neglected properties and rallying others to invest in their community.
“People give up and move to another town they think is better, but to me, you can’t get better than the Delta,” Smythe said. “You make connections with people. It takes a village to put on an event, and I couldn’t do it without all the help I’ve gotten from the community”.
Christmas on Deer Creek: A Delta Tradition
Smythe’s speech highlighted the upcoming Christmas on Deer Creek festival, scheduled for Saturday, December 6, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Leland. The event features a fun run, children’s brunch with “Elf on the Shelf,” food trucks, shopping, games, vendors, live concerts, and fireworks. This year’s brunch sold out 375 tickets in just ten minutes, reflecting the event’s popularity.
Santa will make a grand entrance down the creek and light the newly relocated Christmas tree in Broad Street Park. Musical entertainment includes the B.B. King Museum All Stars, American Blonde, and Mustache Band, with local school bands, cheerleaders, and story time with Mrs. Claus adding to the festivities.
Community Impact and Optimism
Smythe emphasized the importance of optimism and teamwork, sharing stories of fundraising miracles and the generosity of local sponsors who help the festival grow annually. Recent additions to Leland, such as new dress shops, studios, and an upcoming bookstore and coffee shop, are tangible results of her revitalization campaign.
“I like people that say yes, I like people that are happy, and I like to surround myself with people that are happy and supportive of each other,” Smythe said, thanking the Rotary Club and all who contributed to the event’s success.
This report was compiled with the assistance of Perplexity AI.
