Coast white Christmas has certain charm
A snowy white Christmas is rare, indeed, in South Mississippi, yet snowflakes "fly" through the oaks, snowmen parade along with Santa and families have a chance to wear their Christmas sweaters to the holiday shows on ice.
On the second of the 25 Days of Christmas, we feel the chill in the air as the temperatures fall into the 60s and we hang some snowflake lights.
Snowflakes in the Bay decorate the Live oaks in the Depot District of Bay St. Louis through New Year's Day. In downtown Ocean Springs, people in short sleeves wander amid the snowflakes in the trees and past the lighted gazebo. Snowmen don't melt in the Coast December sun -- they "puddle" on the ground until nightfall, when they are inflated again to wave from front yard displays.
The December calendar has opportunities to experience winter chill, whether skating circles around the Mississippi Coast Coliseum or watching the professionals put on a show.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy, along with Disney Princesses and characters, will celebrate festivities from around the globe at this year's Disney on Ice. The show skates into Biloxi next weekend, Dec. 10-13.
This year's holiday show at Beau Rivage Theater through Dec. 27 is Santa & Friends on Ice.
"It's real ice," said Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, spokeswoman for the Beau Rivage. "It's just a classic show. This group has performed at Radio City Music Hall," she said, and features skaters who have competed in the Olympics and on U.S. teams and world-class vocalists and actors.
Families who come to the show Saturday can get their Christmas photos in the atrium that is decorated like a winter wonderland and hear Christmas carolers. During all four shows this weekend, the Beau Rivage will honor veterans with special prices on tickets and shopping.
NOAA puts the chance of a white Christmas in South Mississippi at less than 5 percent. Kids will still put "snow" on their holiday wish list. but in South Mississippi most people are content with a flocked tree, snowy white decorations on the mantle and the charm of looking out at a white sand beach Christmas.
This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Coast white Christmas has certain charm ."