[12/03/01]Hundreds of people lined the streets of downtown Vicksburg Saturday to kick off the holidays by watching the annual Christmas parade.

After a week of rain, the sun came out just in time for the Ernie Myers Memorial Christmas Parade.

Watching all the marching bands and floats pass down Washington Street was a first for Tameka Barnes and her 8-month-old daughter, Alyshia Moore.

“This is my first time to see it and hers, so that makes it special,” Barnes said.

The parade featured a patriotic twist this year with lots of red, white and blue to capture the theme All-American Christmas. Port Gibson and Tallulah also held their Christmas parades Saturday.

Maj. Gen. Richard E. Coleman, commander of the 412th Engineer Command, served as the grand marshal of the parade that kicked off at 11 a.m.

But it wasn’t the five marching bands, 40 floats or even Santa Claus that 9-year-old Burnetta Moore was waiting to see.

“I want to see my teacher,” she said. “She is on the Beechwood (Elementary) float.”

For 10-year-old Frederick Allen, it was Old Saint Nick on the International Paper float who lit up his smile.

“I just wanted to see Santa Claus,” said Frederick, a South Park Elementary student.

Steve Pranger, a member of the Vicksburg Jaycees and one of the organizers of Saturday’s downtown parade, said Warrenton Baptist Church Youth won the prize for best overall float.

Redwood Elementary School took the prize for best school float, Mount Calvary Baptist Church walked away with the most original honors and Ameristar Casino won for best business float.

Each of the four will receive a trophy from the Vicksburg Jaycees, which sponsored the parade.

Also helping to ring in the holiday season on Saturday was Jingle Bell Junction.

Sponsored by the River City Business & Professional Women, it offered a variety of vendors selling arts and crafts at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Separately, the Redwood Elementary School student choir performed at Pemberton Square mall, while across town antebellum homes were opened to tours as part of Vicksburg Christmas Candlelight Tours.

The tours, featuring Victorian style decorations illuminated by candlelight, included Cedar Grove, Annabelle, The Corners, Harding Johnston Home, the Baer Home and Anchuca.

To end the day on a holiday note there was a performance of Johannes Brahms’ “German Requiem” by the Vicksburg Chamber Choir at the Church of the Holy Trinity.

Holiday activities continue today when Valerie Atwood’s students at Vicksburg Dance Studio will present The Nutcracker at 2 p.m. at Vicksburg High School Auditorium.

Tickets are $6 and may be purchased at the studio or at the door.

And there are plenty more activities planned for the week.

On Thursday, the Mississippi Welcome Center on Washington Street will have its Christmas Openhouse from 2 until 4 p.m.

The Grace Notes, Bob and Darlene Roberts, are scheduled to perform and Miss Hospitality Jalin Wood from Waynesboro will sign autographs and help the Welcome Center staff serve refreshments.

The following day the Vicksburg Art Association Christmas Party begins at 8 p.m. at the Firehouse Gallery. Admission is $20 per person in advance and $25 per person at the door. In addition, there will be a silent auction of art work, services and meals. For information, call the Attic Gallery at 638-9221.

Holiday events will begin Dec. 8 at Pemberton Square with Breakfast with Santa at 8 a.m. at Piccadilly Cafeteria. Tickets are $2 per person and Santa and Rudolph will hand out treats to the children.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be a free space jump in the mall along with a performance by the Calvary Baptist Church choir at 11 a.m. and a choir from Warren Central Junior High School at 2 p.m.

From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Balfour House on Crawford, there will be a re-enactment of the Balfour Christmas Ball that was interrupted by the arrival of Union troops during the Campaign for Vicksburg in December 1862. Tickets are $30 per person, and reservations are required by

calling 638-7113.

Also, the Debra Franco School of Dance will present Mistletoe Magic at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Parkside Playhouse. Featured will be dancers from the Atlanta Ballet and the Natchez Ballet Academy.

Rounding out the week at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the Old Court House Museum-Eva W. Davis Memorial will present its annual Christmas program featuring singer Catherine May Brown and singers and guitarists Jimmy Watt and Don Nelson.

Call 636-0741 for reservations. There is no admission fee.