Christmas Festival

Jackson, MS- Are you still looking for that perfect gift for that special someone?  Do you need to earn some extra cash?  Would you like to take advantage of health screenings or relax with a massage while enjoying the sounds and sights of a community parade?  You can find all that and more at the Jackson Medical Mall Christmas Festival on Friday, December 18, 2009.  The festival, which runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., will take place both inside and outside the Jackson Medical Mall.  There will be several activities occurring throughout the day including a vendor fair, parade, adopt-a-fence competition, and fashion show.  Join us as we celebrate the warmth of the season and get our community in the spirit of the holiday.

The Jackson Medical Mall Christmas Festival will feature dozens of vendors from across the southern region selling their handmade products as well as distributing health information.  Gold X Change is one of the featured vendors.  Shoppers can exchange their yellow or white gold jewelry for cash to help get through the holidays.  Health screenings and massages will also be available.  In addition, Jackson Medical Mall retailers will offer special discounts on their items as well.  The vendor fair will be in the Common Area of the Jackson Medical Mall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  It is sponsored by the Jackson Medical Mall Business Association (JMMBA).

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. is the Grand Marshal for the community parade, which is sponsored by the Jackson Medical Mall Community Advisory Board (CAB).  It starts at 2 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the Jackson Medical Mall on Livingston Road.  Spectators can bring their lawn chairs and enjoy sounds from school bands and view holiday floats, dancing teams, fancy cars, and even see Santa Claus’s dog-elves dressed up in holiday wear.

Following the parade will be an announcement of the winners for the adopt-a-fence display competitions.  Neighborhood Associations and businesses from across the Jackson Medical Mall District and Medical Mall tenants are adopting a portion of the Jackson Medical Mall fence to decorate.  Winners from the display competition and parade will receive gift cards.  That portion of the program begins at 5 p.m.  The displays will remain until the end of December.

At 7 p.m., JODI Productions, a local modeling agency that professionally trains youth, will host a holiday fashion show at Center Stage.  Students around the metro-area will walk the runway in diverse fashions and bring live entertainment to the crowd.

“The Christmas Festival is the Foundation’s way of saying thank you to the community for their support and efforts throughout the year,” says Zakiya Summers, public relations manager for the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation (JMMF) and Festival coordinator.  “We are getting our community in the holiday spirit by bringing them activities they usually don’t find on this side of town.”

Sponsors and partners for the Jackson Medical Mall Christmas Festival are: JMMF, JMMBA, CAB, JODI Productions, PRIYDE, Jackson Advocate, South Central Community Action Agency (SCCAA), Minority Capital Fund of Mississippi (MINCAP), Rite Aide, Community Outreach for Health Awareness (COHA), Habitat for Humanity, Jackson-Hinds Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University, and Fountain Construction.