STARKVILLE — Starkville’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony is on hold.
Due to a shipping snafu with the 17-foot, pre-lit LED commercial tree, the tree lighting originally set for Sunday will take place on Nov. 28, immediately following the Christmas parade at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse.
Jennifer Gregory, Greater Starkville Development Partnership chief operating officer, was disappointed Thursday after having announced plans to combine the tree lighting with the Christmas Open House and Cookies With Santa events more than a month ago.
There was a slim chance the tree lighting still could have taken place Sunday, but someone from the Partnership would have had to drive to Display Sales’ Georgia warehouse to pick up the $10,000 tree. Plus, the Starkville Electric Department, which has agreed to assemble the tree, would have had to work Saturday.
“It takes five hours to put that thing together,” Gregory said. “I’m not going to ask them to do that on a Saturday.”
The Partnership has already purchased more than $10,000 worth of Christmas wreaths and other lighting decorations from Display Sales. Gregory was shocked when the tree — already paid for — was still sitting in the warehouse Thursday.
“Yeah, it wasn’t a good feeling,” Gregory said.
Gregory said there is a potential positive that may come out of the delay, as the lighting ceremony will cap the Christmas parade, which was moved up a week to accommodate the Mississippi State University band and spirit groups. The tree will stand in front of the Oktibbeha County Courthouse on Main Street, at the end of the parade route.
“People have been asking my why we’re having it so early,” Gregory said. “So it’ll still work out.”
Applications for the Christmas parade are available at the Partnership Office at 200 East Main or online at visit.starkville.org. Applications are due Nov. 11.
There will still be plenty of Christmas spirit Sunday during Starkville’s annual holiday shopping kickoff.
The Christmas Open House will feature children’s photos with Santa Claus at the Partnership Welcome Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 per child. Ticket sales will benefit the United Way of North Central Mississippi and can be purchased at the Partnership during normal business hours. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event.
Merchants will transform downtown into a Christmas Village by decorating their stores and display merchandise on their storefronts. Some merchants will provide refreshments and play Christmas music.
“It’s a fun, festive day and we encourage everyone to shop local for their Christmas gifts,” Gregory said. “We think the combination of events will make a day of great sales. We hope people will eat brunch and lunch at our restaurants.”
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