By Gabrielle Terrett

The Vicksburg Post

The 14th annual Christmas Caroling contest, sponsored by radio station V105.5 FM, begins tonight through Saturday at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

More than 50 acts are expected to take the stage at 6:30 p.m. each night with the finals set for 7 p.m. Saturday.

Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

“Contestants of all sizes participate,” Mark Jones, V105.5 radio station owner and general manager, said. “We have soloists, duos, quintets, quartets and even choirs with over 100 members in it.”

Most contestants are local, but a handful come from out of town, according to Jones.

“The majority are local, but we have some from the Jackson area, Pearl, Clinton and even Louisiana,” Jones said. “But most of our contestants are from here.”

The four days of competition will include contestants from each of seven divisions.

1st division – Lower Elementary School Students

2nd division – Upper Elementary Students

3rd division – Junior High School Students

4th Division – High School Students

5th Division – Smaller Children

6th Division -Younger Teens

7th Division – Adults

Contestants will be competing for a share of $10,000 in this years caroling contest.

“Everybody wins cash that’s a finalist,” Jones said. “In the first four divisions, the winner receives $1,000 and there is runner-up money. Also, we’re giving out $500 to two music teachers this year.”