By Jason C. Mattox

The Christmas season will officially kick off in Panola County today in Sardis, beginning at 10 a.m., with the Hefflin House Christmas Bazaar.

The Christmas Bazaar will run today and tomorrow, and feature a lunch and tour of the Sardis museum.

As of Wednesday, lunch reservations were at full capacity, but anyone wishing to take the tour could participate any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on either day.

“Holiday Open House” will take place in Batesville Sunday, November 23. The event is hosted by Batesville businesses, with civic clubs and local artists joining in to offer food, fun and gift ideas to shoppers ready to get started on their Christmas shopping.

Approximately 20 local businesses on and off the Downtown Square are participating in this year’s event to allow shoppers an early start. Shops will be open from 1-5 p.m.

Also featured at the Open House will be carriage rides, carolers, and pictures with Santa by Malcolm Morehead. For more information see section D in today’s Panolian.

The Town of Como will begin its Christmas season on Monday, December 1 with “Christmas in Como” on Main Street. The event will start with the ringing of the church bells and continue with the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

The event will also feature pictures with Santa Claus for the children and the young at heart.

A taste of Christmas will be offered when the Panola County members of the Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers present their Holiday  Tasting Bazaar from noon – 1 p.m. at the Extension Building on Highway 51 South. Copies of the recipes cooked will be available.

On Thursday, December 4, North Delta School will present Blessings of Christmas, which will feature music at two performances at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school’s Christmas bazaar and silent auction will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Town of Crenshaw will hold the season’s first Christmas parade on December 4.

The parade is scheduled to begin at the old Plummley Rubber Company at 6 p.m.

Saturday, December 6, the Town of Crowder will hold its annual Christmas Parade. The parade will begin at Little’s Gin at 2 p.m.

The next day, those with the Christmas spirit can take part in the Batesville Garden Club’s “Christmas Tour of Homes.”

The tour will be from 1-5 p.m. and feature the homes of Penelope Respess, Mrs. Jerry Autrey, Wanda Carmichael and The Garden District. Tickets are $10.

The City of Sardis will continue the festivities with its annual Christmas Parade on Monday, December 8. Churches, civic organizations and clubs are encouraged to enter floats in the parade.

For more information contact Duffy Russell at 662-487-3250.

The parade will begin on McLaurin Street near the Boys and Girls Club at 6 p.m.

The final Christmas parade of the season for Panola County will be in Batesville beginning at 6:30 p.m. on December 9.

The theme for this year’s event is “Christmas in Dixie,” and the registration deadline is December 7.