Please e-mail all calendar briefs to calendar@themeridianstar.com. Calendar items are listed by date and it may take a while before an event submitted weeks in advance appears in the paper.

F.Y.I.

• Santa’s Christmas Factory – Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum downtown Meridian, 1808 4th St. Nov. 24, Dec. 6,7,8,14,15 • 4-8 p.m. FMI: 601-693-9905.

• Trees of Christmas at Merrehope celebrating 50 fabulous years decked out in its finest holiday attire. Merrehope/F.W. Williams Historic Homes, 905 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Daily Tours Mon.-Sat. 9-5 • Nov. 16-Dec. 29. Sundays 1-5 • Dec. 2, 9, 16. FMI: 601-483-8439.

• Lazy Acres in Lights, 596 Lazy Acres Road, Chunky. Nov. 22-Dec. 25 • 6-9 p.m. Closed Sundays and Dec. 24. Mon.-Thur., Drive Thru – Fri. and Sat. Wagon Ride. FMI: 833-327-6386.

• The Meridian Civitan Club has begun its annual Claxton Fruit Cake sales campaign. The one-pound cakes are priced at $4 per pound and are available at Meridian Mutual FCU, 1st Mississippi FCU, MUNA FCU, Citizens National Bank, BankPlus, Great Southern National Bank and First State Bank.

Daily:

Wednesday, Nov. 21

• 3 p.m. – Movie Day for all ages at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Saturday, Nov. 24

• 3:30 p.m. – Friends will gather at Sandy Ridge Bluegrass Park for a day of fellowship, food, pickin’, and grinnin’. Bring a covered dish for supper at 6 p.m. then hang around for some bluegrass music with possible banjo, mandolin, guitar, and fiddle players. FMI: 601-644-3701. Admission is free. Clarkdale School first road to the right, go down 3 or 4 miles CR 358.

• 4-9 p.m. – KCS Holiday Express Christmas Train is back and be stopping by Meridian Union Station. The six-car train will bring Santa Claus for a visit with kids and offer visual displays inside and out for young and old alike. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, Nov. 25

• 4 p.m. – The KCS Christmas Train is back and will be stopping by Newton for a night of fun for all at the railroad junction on W. Church Street. The six-car train will bring Santa Claus for a visit with kids and offer visual displays inside and out for young and old alike. Free and open to the public.

Monday, Nov. 26

• 11 a.m. – Adult DIY Dream Catchers at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Tuesday, Nov. 27

• 10 am. – Baby/Toddler STEM Building Block at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. Chess Club meets at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 28

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adults (7th-12th Grade) STEM (Glow in the Dark Volcano) at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Nov. 29

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6th Grade Presentation by Kay Wolfe at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 6 p.m. – Newton’s annual Christmas Parade themed “Once Upon a Christmas” will begin at 6 p.m. Registration for the Christmas Parade will open on Nov 2.

Friday, Nov. 30

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – The Market Beautiful at Kampers Aly in Laurel, $10, that ticket is good for Saturday also. Come and kick off the Christmas season with Erin and Ben Napier from HGTV’s Home Town. Napiers will just be there on Friday. Vintage shopping, food, drinks, kids activities, workshops, an on-stage talk with Erin and Ben followed by a meet-and-greet and a chance to get a copy of their new book signed.

Saturday, Dec. 1

• 10 a.m. – 8th annual Bikers United For Children Toy Run starting at Hilton Garden Inn/Northeast Conference Center, 111 US Hwy. 11/80 off I-20/I-59 Exit 154, Meridian. Donations go to Wesley House. Cost-Donation of 1 new toy per participant. KSU at 1 p.m. FMI: 601-479-5709.

• The 9th Annual WhistleStop Marketplace housed inside the Historic Newton Depot. Come shop till you drop. Vendor applications are available on our website: www.newtonchamberms.com.

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m – The Market Beautiful at Kampers Aly in Laurel. Pancake breakfast and Christmas parade.

• 3 p.m. – Together for Christmas Tour Jonathan Wilburn and The LeFevre Quartet at the historic Temple Theatre. Order 24/7 at 800-965-9324.

• 5:30 p.m. – Experience the magic of the season as the City of Meridian presents “Christmas in the City,” holiday parade. FMI: 601-485-1998.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

• 11:30 a.m. – The monthly meeting of the Central MS Chapter of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) will be held at Ronnie’s Steak and Grill, 734 Pecan Ave., Philadelphia. FMI: 601-389-1946.

Thursday, Dec. 6

• 5 p.m. – The Meridian Chapter of Miss. Valley State Alumni will have it “Thanksgiving Alumni Round-Up Dinner” at Western Sizzlin. FMI: 601-350-0255.

• 7 p.m. – A Good Old Fashioned Redneck Country Christmas at the Meridian Little Theatre. Tickets www.meridianlittletheatre.com. or 601-482-6371.

• 7:30 p.m. – Diamond Rio Holiday & Hits at the MSU Riley Center. Tickets $52, $46. For fans of Sawyer Brown, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band.

Saturday, Dec. 8

• 9 a.m. – A Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Reflection of Life will be held at the Rush Hospital Private Dining Room with guest speaker Chaplin Dual. Tickets are $10 to assist children with GPA.

• 6 p.m. – A Fashion Show, hosted by Reflection of Life will be held at the Tommy E. Dulaney Center – Meridian Community College, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 to assist children with GPA.

Thursday, Dec. 20

• Brown Bag Lunch featuring The Max’s own Aaron Windham on classical guitar. Free and open to the public at The MAX.