With the holiday season coming up quickly, Main Street Columbus has announced that Mississippi University for Women President Nora Miller will be the grand marshal of the Columbus Christmas Parade.

Miller will be appearing in the parade which starts at 6 p.m. Dec. 10. The parade follows the theme “A Classic Christmas,” and will also include the Budweiser Clydesdales.

“We are honored that Nora Miller, 15th President of Mississippi University for Women, will represent The W and serve as this year’s grand marshal,” Barbara Bigelow, executive director of Main Street Columbus said in a Tuesday press release. “When thinking of ‘classic’ Columbus, The W definitely comes to mind, so President Miller seemed a logical representation. We are thrilled that she is available.”

Miller also expressed her excitement to serve as grand marshal in the release.

“I am looking forward to joining other community members participating in the parade and serving as the grand marshal,” Miller said. “This is quite an honor and, as a native St. Louisan, I am particularly pleased to be joining with the Budweiser Clydesdales.”

Applications to participate in the Christmas Parade, either as an individual or as a part of a larger group or organization, are available by calling (662) 328-6305 or at www.columbusmainstreet.com.

Information regarding sponsorship of the Parade is also available at these locations.

Other Holiday Activities

In a second Tuesday press release, Main Street Columbus also shared its upcoming slate of family-friendly holiday activities as a way to “get into the holiday spirit.”

Small Business Saturday will be taking place on Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some downtown merchants will be open with store discounts, promotions and other deals to help with Christmas shopping.

“A festive spirit will be in the air as downtown merchants will have their windows and stores decorated for the holidays,” Bigelow said in the release. “This is a perfect time to show your support for small, local businesses, which in turn helps to boost our local economy.”

Main Street Columbus will also be holding the Lighting of the Christmas Tree on Nov. 27 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the lawn adjacent to the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center at the corner of Main and Third Street in downtown Columbus. The lighting will include caroling, a holiday surprise while supplies last, hot chocolate, cookies and an appearance by Miz Claus.

Mayor Keith Gaskin will “flip the switch” on the tree’s lights at around 6:15 p.m.

“Thanks to the generosity of Oakbridge Insurance Company, we now have a beautiful new tree for our annual Christmas tree lighting event in our historic downtown,” Gaskin said in the release. “We also want to thank the Columbus Cultural and Heritage Foundation for allowing us to place our new 20-foot tree on the grounds of the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. Main Street Columbus always puts on a festive event for our citizens, and I know this year will be extra special. I encourage families to join us as we kick off the holiday season in Columbus.”

Wassail Fest will also be returning for its 19th year on Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m., including holiday activities, in-store promotions and door prizes from participating merchants. Wassail is a medieval beverage consisting of hot cider and various spices, which will be served at various businesses and restaurants within the historic downtown district.

Ballots will be available at participating stores to vote for the best wassail, selecting the People’s Choice Award or the “Wassail Meister.” Ballots will also be used for a drawing for door prizes.

During Wassail Fest, there will also be an “Ugly Sweater Showdown.” Entrants can wear their favorite ugly sweater and stop in for a photo at the Main Street Columbus office, 107 Fifth St. N., for a photo. Judges will pick a winner in the categories of most creative, funniest and most original ugly sweater from the photos, with the winner announced on Facebook the following week.

There will be a giant snow globe on Main Street, an appearance by Frosty, Columbus’ tallest snowman sponsored by Columbus Light and Water, and by fire trucks from Columbus Fire and Rescue. Santa and Miz Claus will also be in the Columbus Arts Council for a photo opportunity during Wassail Fest.

Main Street will be blocked from 3-9 p.m. between Fifth and Sixth Streets.

Following Wassail Fest, on Dec. 2, Main Street Columbus is hosting a Cookie Walk at the Rosenzweig Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a $10 donation to Main Street Columbus, attendees will receive an empty box and a pair of gloves, which can be used to pick out holiday cookies at tables around the room. Santa and Miz Claus will once again be present during this time.

The Christmas Parade on Dec. 10 will be capping off Main Street Columbus’ holiday activities. Edward Jones Investments, Josh Read and ABB Inc are the presenting sponsors for this year’s parade.