Pierce Castle will host two Christmas events for children on Black Friday, giving parents the opportunity to shop solo for great holiday deals.

    The events, described as the ultimate Christmas-time experience for children, will take place in the Pierce Castle ballroom, and will include story time with Mrs. Claus, homemade ornament crafting, tree decorating and more.

    Heather Shelby, parent of 6-year-old Abigail, signed her daughter up to give her a few hours to prep for Christmas.

    “I plan on spending the four hours while Abigail is in the morning session picking up some great Black Friday deals on toys and then wrapping gifts,” Shelby said.

    “I’m excited that she’ll be off having fun and I get a peaceful morning to put the finishing touches on my Christmas list. It’s really hard trying to find a babysitter around the holidays, especially on Black Friday,” Shelby said.

    Abigail’s cousin Jamie will also be attending the morning session, while his mother Carla plans to spend the morning recovering from the huge Thanksgiving celebration from the day before.

    “I’m planning on having around 45 people at my house for Thanksgiving dinner, so I’ll enjoy a quiet morning at home cleaning up while Jamie has fun at the castle.”

    The morning session, slated to run from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., will include breakfast snacks and juice. The afternoon session, happening from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., will offer chips and fruit. Both sessions will feature a reading of “Twas the Night before Christmas” and ornament-making. Children will be able to take home the ornaments as mementos from the event.

    Each session is capped at 40 spots and admission to the event is $30 per child. The admission fee covers four hours of child care, snacks, ornaments, and a free link to digital photograph of each child in front of the Pierce Castle Christmas tree.

    “I think it’s a great deal and Abigail is excited about spending the morning at a real castle,” said Shelby.

    For more information on the events or to register a child, please visit the Pierce Castle website at www.PierceCastleMS.com