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This week we bring
you some Christmas cheer from around the great
state of Mississippi. And what better place
to headquarter our program than in the “City
of Lights”. We are in the Madison County
town of Canton.
The Canton
Welcome Center is a good place to begin
your holiday visit to the City of Lights.
It all began with twenty-two original antique
figures and a vision of a holiday museum
for children and adults. Today, Canton’s
beloved Animation Museum has grown to over
135 figures contained in three museums that
beckon holiday fun-seekers to a world of
fact and fairy tales.
The Animation #1 Museum personifies the original
vision of highlighting Canton’s rich
history. With authentic artifacts, each scene
represents a thriving business or a piece of
the town from a by-gone-era. Let’s take
a minute and absorb some of this historic past.
In our first story we travel over to Meridian
and visit Merrehope, a
historic home that is bursting at the rafters
with Christmas Trees adorned with handmade
ornaments. This stately 20-room Victorian mansion
features unusual woodwork, handsome columns,
mantels and stairway. It is one of fewer than
six buildings left standing after Gen. Tecumseh
Sherman's campaign in February 1864. Merrehope
was beautifully restored and furnished in 1968
by the Meridian Restorations Foundations, Inc.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.;
Admission $5 adults, $3 children.
From I 20/59 take the 22nd Avenue exit to downtown Meridian.
Turn left on 8th Street, then right on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
With a whimsical eye, this second animation
museum brings to life Canton’s distinction
of being Mississippi’s Movie Capital.
This holiday season the camera is pointed
at Santa Clause himself as the crew documents “ twenty-four
hours in the life of Santa Clause”
Beginning with Santas from years past, we
are taken on a magical Christmas Eve journey
with Santa as Mrs. Clause awakens him to
start the day and ending with the elves preparing
the sleigh for his long journey.
In our next story we head up to the Delta
to enjoys some more Christmas scenes but
these are floating atop the water of Deer
Creek in Leland.
There is no better way to feel like a kid again than to climb aboard a carousel
like this one located on the Canton Square. For only $1.00 you can climb aboard
and wash all of your day to day troubles away and relieve those magical moments
of childhood.
And speaking of putting aside your day to day problems; this is by far the
best time of year to visit the Governor’s
Mansion because politics are put on hold for the holiday season.
One of the best ways to view all of the wonderful Christmas decorations and sparkling
lights is to climb aboard the miniature train or fire truck and have them drive
you around this beautifully decorated historic square in Canton.
In our next story riding in your car would be my suggestion for best viewing
the unusual and breathtaking sight of a medieval
castle decorated for the holiday season.
From antique and gift shopping on the historic Canton Square to Carousel
rides, tours and animated museums, Canton is truly a holiday wonderland for
young and old alike. So come celebrate the joy of the season to the glow of
over two hundred thousand sparkling white lights and make your holidays one
that you will remember for years to come.
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