By Rita Howell
Batesville’s citywide Holiday Open House on Sunday will be the official start of the local holiday season.

The Batesville Downtown Square will be the center of festivities, with horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, and a Christmas bazaar with items made by local crafters. Children may check out Santa’s Workshop to make reindeer food and decorate an ornament.

All over town, shops will be open for the afternoon, offering customers a chance to leisurely enjoy Christmas decorations and see gift selections.

Hours of the Open House are 1-5 p.m. The event is sponsored by Batesville Main Street. Call 563-3126 for information.

Businesses advertising in a special Holiday Open House section on pages B6-7 of today’s Panolian are: Bobbie’s Home Decor, Candle Shoppe, Dale Copeland Jeweler, Davis Pharmacy, Holly Hale Avon, Kay’s, Phil Webb Hallmark, Saverex Drugs, Talk of the Town, Tan Shoppe and Y. Taylor’s.

Secret Santa needs help

Panola County Secret Santa is busy now organizing volunteers and soliciting donations of toys and money to help needy local kids ages 0-12 have a happier Christmas.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be dropped off in Sardis at First Security Bank and Renasant Bank, in Como and Crenshaw at First Security and Renasant banks, and in Batesville at First Security, Bancorp South and Renasant Banks.  On Saturday Boy Scouts of Troop 478 will be collecting toys for Secret Santa at Walgreens and Ray Poole’s State Farm from 9-3.

Anyone who wants to volunteer to help organize, sort, wrap and distribute the gifts may call chairman Diane Davis at 871-9134.

Christmas in Como

Christmas in Como, Como’s 6th annual Main Street holiday celebration, will be December 4 from 2 -6 p.m. Free musical performances, both indoors and out, include blues, fife and drum, jazz piano, organ, Jamaican, gospel, light opera, and pops.  The event includes a gift store for kids, prizes, a cake walk, Santa, March of the Bagpipers, Lighting of the Tree, a kids’ art contest, and good food.  Contact alicepierotti@gamail.com or (662) 526-5283.

Christmas parade

Batesville Christmas parade will be held Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Batesville.  

Theme for this year’s parade is “Joy to the World.” All churches and clubs are urged to enter. For an entry form call 934-3356 or 563-4689.

The rain date is Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.