Award-winning Christmas in Canton festival returns with more excitement and attractions to light up the season.
CANTON, Miss. – When it came to selecting the winner of Mississippi’s 2013 “Festival or Event of the Year,” the judges at the Mississippi Tourism Association had a Dickens of a time – for real.
In a state where festivals are regular occurrences, with Christmas an especially popular time, there were a lot of great entrants to choose from. Still, one festival had it all: A 25-day Victorian-themed holiday celebration held in the middle of one of Mississippi’s most beautifully historic downtowns – a celebration that offered dazzling delights for young and old alike, from light and sound spectaculars (including 200,000 glittering lights) to cider-sipping hospitality, from a wonderland of animatronics (135 life-sized animated figures) to a vintage carousel, horse-drawn carriage rides and a Mrs. Claus Story House for story times with the “real” Mrs. Claus. New 2013 offerings like Santa’s Workshop made the event even more participatory and “hands-on” with Elf in Training crafts, while the Character and Light Parade wowed crowds with beloved holiday characters and fabulous holiday-themed floats.
So to Christmas in Canton, the enchanting Victorian holiday festival – the event that had it all – those MTA judges added one more thing: the award as the “Festival of the Year” in its size category.
And now the festival that has it all (plus an award to prove it) is back again in 2014 to enchant families and visitors of all ages – young, old and young at heart – by bringing even more: More lights, and more anticipation, says Jo Ann Gordon, Director of the Canton Convention and Visitors Bureau. In fact, beginning in November 28 and running through December 23, Mississippi’s best in class festival promises to be its best yet.
Light displays and the return of a new crowd-pleasing favorite:
First introduced in 2013, the Character and Light Parade proved to be particularly popular, according to Gordon, who notes that this year the parade will include surprising new floats and characters.
The light and sound displays help make Christmas in Canton an exceptionally immersive experience. “When we say we ‘put’ visitors in the Christmas spirit, it’s no exaggeration,” Gordon says, of an event made all the more authentic with the Historic Canton Square as the inviting backdrop.
A jam-packed calendar of holiday comforts and joys:
The ultimate in comfort food and fun, the Festival’s “Sip-n-Cider” also returns, as will all of the other best-loved features, including:
• Christmas Animation Museums
• Holiday Light and Sound Spectaculars
• Carousel on the Square
• Miniature vintage car rides
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Merchants’ Open House Weekend
• The “Railroad Comes to Canton” display
Magic in motion: Animation Museums return to amaze and amuse.
What began with 22 original figures and a vision of a unique holiday fantasy has evolved into one of Mississippi’s most exciting holiday attractions, featuring 135 life-size animated figures in tableaus that encompass history, fantasy and fun. Artfully and meticulously handcrafted, each figure is a work of art, and all together the museums are a wonder to behold.
The Museums focus on three distinct themes:
• “Canton’s History Comes Alive,” including vignettes that offer the viewer a delightful and insightful peek at life from earlier times. With authentic artifacts, each scene represents a piece of Canton’s history. From a farm wagon to a school room, the scenes offer an opportunity to learn through the historic artifacts as well as experience the nostalgic warmth of by-gone holidays.
• “The Happy Place – Frozen in Time,” based on the book “An Amazing Snowman” by Barbara Jean Hicks. This magical story is full of surprises and comes to life through imagination, animation and a caring heart. Do you want to see a snowman?
• “Elves Gone Wild,” depicting elves-in-training and all of their wacky mishaps – causing giggles and wiggles for happy children. But rest assured, Santa will make sure all the gifts are delivered on Christmas Eve.
Christmas in Canton runs from November 28 through December 23. For more information on any of Canton’s events and attractions, contact the Canton Convention & Visitors Bureau & Film Office at 1-800-844-3369 or jgordon@cantontourism.com or find Canton on Facebook as Canton Tourism.
