Ross Collins Career and Technical Center employees wave to the crowd during the 2014 Merry Meridian Christmas parade. The float earned Best Overall Winner last year. The annual Merry Meridian events kick off Saturday and run through the holiday season.

    City Sidewalks, busy sidewalks, that’s what’s about to happen in downtown Meridian in preparation for the 2015 Merry Meridian holiday festivities.

    The theme for this year’s celebration, presented by the Meridian Downtown Association, is “All I Want For Christmas.”

    Debby Delshad, program manager with Meridian Main Street, said the celebration starts Saturday with the Miss Merry Meridian Pageant. The fifth annual pageant will be held at Union Station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    The pageant, which kicks off the holiday season, selects young ladies who exemplify the holiday spirit, according to Penny Randall, pageant director.

    “The reason we have the pageant so early is so the girls can help with the festivities,” Randall said. “They will just be ambassadors for the holiday season, helping with Merry Meridian Marketplace, and with the tree lighting ceremony. They will be like little Christmas ambassadors for the holiday season helping anyway they can.”

    A “Tiny” Miss Merry Meridian Queen will be named for newborns to 7 years old. An overall Miss Merry Meridian Queen will be named from ages 8-18. Winners will get to ride in the city of Meridian’s Christmas Parade. More applicants are welcome and being from Meridian is not a requirement, Randall said.

    “I had about 30 girls last year, and I hope to at least meet that number or exceed it,” Randall said. “Keira Morgan from Newton was our overall Miss Merry Meridian Queen last year. She is very excited about coming back to crown the new winners.”

     “It is the cutest little pageant,” Randall said. “They first dress in their Christmas-themed outfit, then they change into their pageant dress. They just have the best time.”

    Applications for the pageant are available at Faulkenberry’s Pageant Shop on Hwy. 39, Belle G’s in North Hills, or by calling Randall at 601-481-5712.

    Also on that day, for those wishing to get a start on their holiday shopping, Trinity Presbyterian Church will be holding their fifth annual Holiday Gift Bazaar. More than 30 vendors will be set up with merchandise that includes woodworking, jewelry, Christmas gifts, decorative items, and much more, along with homemade breads, cakes, pies, and candies for sell. The Trinity Cafe’ will once again feature their chicken gumbos and soups. Frozen gumbo by the quart will be available to go while supplies last. All church proceeds will go to Meridian charities. Hours for that day will be 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information call 601-485-4105.

    The weekend before Thanksgiving, Meridian Main Street will present the 2015 Merry Meridian Marketplace, where all the gifts and glitter, music and magic and food and fun of the season come together at the historic Mississippi State University Riley Center.

    Delshad said this year will bring changes and additions to ensure the best holiday shopping in the area. All of the vendors will be indoors, with offerings from distinctive apparel, jewelry, decorative goods, local foods and much more. There will be something for everyone – adults, kids, and even pets.There will also be nibbles an noshes throughout the market.

    “Dig into delights, both sweet and savory,” Delshad said. “There will be so many things to browse and relish.”

    Some additions to 2015 Merry Meridian Marketplace are:

    • Santa will be on hand for pictures

    • Mrs. Claus will have story time

    • Kids can color with Santa’s helpers

    • Area school and church choirs will perform

    • Tacky Christmas sweater contest ($100 Winner)

    • Door prizes

    “You can be one of our amazing vendors, selling the perfect Christmas gifts that everyone has to have,” Delshad said. “We hope Meridian and surrounding communities will join us for a fantastic day of food, fun, and shopping. Applications, rules, and regulations can be found at Meridianmainstreet.org or on Facebook at Meridian Main Street.

    More festivities to follow in the coming weeks include:

    •  Merrehope Trees of Christmas Opening Reception – Sunday, Nov. 22 from 1-5 p.m.

    •  Merrehope Trees of Christmas Tours available – Nov. 23 – Dec. 30, 9 a.m.-5  p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Last tour starts at 4 p.m. For more information, call 601-483-8439.

    •  Meridian Community College Christmas Gala – MCC Concert Choir & Guitar Ensemble, McCain Theatre, Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. For more information, call 601-481-1338.

    •  City of Meridian Tree Lighting Ceremony – Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 601-485-1944.

    •  Santa’s Christmas Factory – Dec. 3-19 at Historic Soule’ Steam Works. For more information, call 601-693-9905.

    •  Merry Museum Youth Workshop – Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10-11:30 a.m. Pre-registration required. Cost $5 per person. For more information, call Kate Cherry at 601-693-1501

    • Jingle Bell Run – Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. in downtown Meridian

    • Christmas Parade – Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Applications are on Facebook; Meridian Main Street.

    • Meridian Symphony Orchestra Peppermint Pops – Dec. 5 at MSU Riley Center at 7 p.m, For more information, call 601-693-2224.

    • U.S. Navy Band Christmas Concert – Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Temple Theatre

    • Meridian Little Theatre presents Rented Christmas – The Musical. Thursday-Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 601-482-6371.

    • Bethlehem Revisited at First Assembly of God, Friday-Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 11, 12, & 13 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. For more information call 601-483-4591.

    • Holiday Gala at Meridian Museum of Art – Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m.

    • Meridian Museum of Art Membership Exhibit – Dec. 12 – Jan. 30. For more information, call 601-693-1501.