When JaDarius Flagg took the stage to sing “Please Come Home for Christmas,” Saturday night at the Vicksburg Convention Center, Angela Hicks jumped up and began clapping in rhythm.

“He’s my godson,” Hicks said. “I love to hear him sing. He’ll be 14 on Dec. 11. He’s been singing since he was 3. He sounds just like his father, Bishop Julian Lott.”

JaDarius, an eighth-grader at Vicksburg Junior High School, took the win in the Tween division in V105.5’s seventh annual Christmas Caroling Contest. He also was a winner last year.

He was one of 20 entries, consisting of soloists, choirs and ensembles, competing for a share of $10,100 in prize money. His first place finish won him $200.

“I think this is probably the best group of finalists we’ve ever had since we’ve been holding this event in Vicksburg,” organizer Mark Jones said.

He said 1,500 people turned out to watch Saturday’s finals, adding, “including the contestants, I think we had 5,000 to 6,000 people the whole week.”

The caroling contest began Monday, with competition continuing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

“I think it’s a great program,” said Dai Flynt of Clinton, who came to watch her daughter, Bradi, perform with the Sumner Hill Junior High School choir. The choir won its division and $1,000. Although Flynt works at River Region Medical Center, this was the first time she has attended the contest.

“I didn’t know that it was that big a deal,” she said.

Saturday night’s competition featured vocal and instrumental performances ranging from traditional carols to swing, rock and hip-hop. Sportsmanship was front and center as Marcus Mercy split his $200 first place award with his competitor, Jenny Bennett, who had to drop out of the finals because of laryngitis.