Tradition abounds Downtown with the 2010 edition of Holiday Art Walk, December 11, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., throughout Downtown Hattiesburg. The five-hour event will feature special events and refreshments in all businesses. Front Street will be blocked between Main and Mobile, opening up additional, convenient parking to shoppers. Have photos made with Santa at the Saenger Theater.
South Mississippi Art Association, annual show and sale, will be held in the Walnut Building, 150 Walnut Square. Thirty-four artists have 87 works of art in the judged show and 69 works in the clothesline show. All work is for sale.
Depot Coffee House & Bistro will host open house featuring Direct Trade premium gourmet coffee and wonderful bowls of delicious beef and chorizo chili.
Blooms, A Garden Shop, in The Bakery, will feature the works of potters, artists and much more.
The works of featured artist, Elizabeth Huffmaster, will be at Main Street Books.
Hattiesburg Arts Council will feature emerging artists at the Cultural Center, 4 – 7 p.m. including Christian Bailey – Ceramics; Gus Bowering – Stained Glass; Junior Freeman – Mixed Media; Andrea Koystal – Mixed Media; Chris Lee – Sculpture.
A-Gallery, visitors will meet members of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi from 6-7:30 p.m. as they sign “Exposed” the 2011 Calendar. Jewelry Trunk Show begins at Noon and continues through 9 p.m. Owner of A Gallery, Gail Albert, will introduce “Inspirations,” her new jewelry collection. Also showing at A Gallery will be sterling silver and freshwater floating pearl necklaces by Tink.
McKenzies on Main will feature special holiday refreshments, unique collectible ornaments, specialty candles and more.
Click Boutique, on Front Street, will hold an open house.
Goddard Studio will hold an open house and show the works of featured artist.
Southern Fried Comics, extends an invitation for you to join them
Southbound Bagel, will have extended hours and feature local artist Marcus Howell.
A special feature at each Downtown merchant will be the 2010 Downtown Commemorative Ornament, featuring the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Walnut Street. Ornaments have become treasured gift items and collector pieces. Purchase yours during Holiday Art Walk.
As the afternoon turns into night, the Historic Neighborhood will come aglow with the Victorian Candelit Christmas. Candles line the streets, walks and driveways of the Historic Neighborhood. The entire area is decorated for the season, there will be carriage rides, period costumes, great hospitality and refreshments. A trolley is available:
Saturday- the Trolley will run from Front Street to Cultural Center between 5-7 pm. After that it will turn off at Front street and make the circuit back to Walthall. Stops include: Parking lot at corner of Front & Market Street, parking lot at Train Depot, Town Square Park, The Turner House (500 Bay St), The Walthall (600 Court St), Sacred Heart Parking lot on Walnut Street, Walnut Circle Grill and corner of Front and Main Street.
Three homes will be open for tours including, Turner House on Bay St.; VonHerrmann home on Walnut and Saffle home on Walnut. Tours are Sat., 5 – 9 p.m. and Sun., 2 – 5 p.m. Tickets $10, advance sales at Main Street Books.
Carriage Rides throughout the neighborhood on Sat. & Sun., 5 – 9 p.m. Tickets $5, available only at Walthall Center.
Headquarters for the Candlelighting event will be Court Street United Methodist Church. The Candlelight Cafe, 5 – 7 p.m. Sat. will be serving red beans & rice, homemade chili, salad & dessert for $6. Enjoy a Live Nativity Scene on the front lawn of the church along with the church choir caroling in Victorian costumes.
Sweet treats, hot chocolate and coffee will be on sale in the Walthall Welcome Center Sat., & sun, 5 – 9 p.m.
Visitors can get a head start on Holiday Art Walk, on December 10, as brownstones’ Restaurant presents a unique artist at Hattiesburg’s Historic Saenger Theater. The artist is one of the nation’s most successful Elvis tribute artists, Ron Adams, who will bring Las Vegas to Downtown Hattiesburg. Information about a Blue, Blue, Christmas, may be obtained by visiting www.hattiesburgsaenger.com or calling 601-584-4888. According to brownstones,’ partial proceeds benefit the South Mississippi Children’s Shelter, Safe Pla
The Tradition/Innovation Art Exhibit, at the Historic Depot will be open for extended hours for the Holiday Art Walk. Hours will be 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and light refreshments will be available.. The Exhibit is open through December 19. Art Exhibit visitors will experience more than 100 pieces of unique contemporary and traditional Southern art created by 58 American master artists and craftsmen who currently live and work in the South. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted.
Rounding out the Holiday Season will be the Holiday Movie Series, at the Saenger. December 20-23, 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. the Saenger will be offering traditional holiday movie favorites, “Miracle on 34th Street” and “A Christmas Story.” Doors open at 1 p.m. and special holiday concessions will be available in the lobby.
Additional information may be obtained by visiting or calling www.hattiesburgsaenger.com, 601-584-4888; www.visithattie.com, 601-296-7475