To the editor:

The Christmas Parade of Lights “Home for the Holidays” turned out to be a fantastic night with clear skies and an amazing crowd packed onto Washington Street.

Main Street would like to extend a wholehearted thank you to our community who enthusiastically supported the Christmas Parade and made this annual event a success.

We would like to recognize and thank our Grand Marshal Miss Mississippi Anne Elizabeth Buys for her participation and enthusiasm.

We had a full line up of local non-profit organizations, businesses, churches, clubs, beauty queens, classic cars, scouts, and of course, plenty of bands.

These organizations took time out of their busy schedules to provide our community with a beautiful Christmas Parade.

The winners for the parade this year are the following: Best in Business: Keller Williams Reality Vicksburg, Best non-profit: First Pentecostal Church, Best Theme: Porter’s Chapel Academy, Most Original: Vicksburg Cruisers Classic Cars Club, Most Enthusiastic: Vicksburg Catholic School Purple Pride Band, and Most Creative: Cub Scouts Pack 193, Best in Show: Danny Hearn Trucking.

Also, we would like to thank a few people with the city who were instrumental in the success of the parade: The Landscaping Department for getting our downtown all spruced up for the holidays, TV 23 did a great job covering the parade for those who were not able to attend the parade; you will be able to see it through the month of December on TV 23, the Vicksburg Police Department and Sheriff Pace with the Warren County deputies for their co-operative spirit in keeping everyone safe.

We would also like to thank our volunteers Kami May with United Way West Central, Dean Anderson a Main Street Board Member, Margie Alexander, Jim Shirley, Tracye Prewitt and Reggie Johnson.

A special thanks to the City of Vicksburg, our line-up crew, judges, Vicksburg Warren County and City Fire Departments, and Santa & Mrs. Claus.

Thank you to all that participated in the 2017 Christmas Parade of Lights and to the ones that attended to support the parade. The Christmas Parade brings a start to the Christmas spirit, and Main Street is proud to be a part of it.

We will see you at the 2018 Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights!

Thank you!

Kim Hopkins

and Rebecca Sigh

Vicksburg Main Street