Marianna Florida Set to Host Joy of Christmas Holiday Festival & Fair

Marianna, FL (PRWEB) November 21, 2007 -- Oh joy! The Jackson County holiday shopping season is off to a happy start as Marianna prepares to hold the first ever Joy of Christmas Holiday Festival & Fair.

This family-oriented community event will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the American Legion Smith-Kelly Post 100 and Jackson County Fairgrounds located at 3627 Highway 90 in Marianna. Festivities will run from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and will feature food, entertainment and a host of local vendors with diverse crafts and gifts to sell for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Additionally, Panama City?s own WJHG-Channel 7 news anchor and singing sensation Neysa Wilkins as well as Lynwood Williams--a nationally renowned Christian comedian who has been featured on BET and opened for gospel luminary Yolanda Adams. There will be a FUN Zone for kids, featuring assorted giant inflatables, pony rides, and Coo-Coo the Clown who will have lots of toys and giveaways for children. Admission for the event is $3.00 (or two canned food items) for adults13 and older and $1.00 (or one canned food item) for children 4-12. Children under 3 and seniors over 60 are free.

The idea for Joy of Christmas originated within the congregation of Sunrise Worship Center, a small non-denominational church located in Marianna. Though this could have easily been misconstrued as just another Christmas shopping event, ?Not so,? says Dr. Samuel Everett, Sr., pastor of Sunrise Worship Center in Marianna. ?The goal of Sunrise Worship Center has always been to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves, especially during the holidays. In 2006, we supported 15 families with Christmas gifts during the holidays, and already we have seen the need for support more than double that of last year,? stated Everett. A daunting challenge, as the congregation of SWC encompasses only some 40 regular adult members. ?We know that there will be a greater demand to help those who simply don?t have the means to supply their children with the kinds of gifts we all take for granted.? This year, SWC will also ?adopt? senior citizens in local nursing homes who do not have families or friends to care for them as well as give out approximately 100 holiday food baskets to the needy. ?Everyone needs someone who cares, and we do genuinely care for our neighbors,? stated Everett.

The Jackson County Tourist Development Council obviously thought so too, as they have agreed to provide ?seed money? in the form of a grant to assist SWC in its efforts in getting the festival off the ground. ?Amazing things began to happen once we put the word out that this is what we were planning.? Now, Everett and his congregation are poised to host what may become Jackson County?s largest festival of the entire holiday season. ?We welcome the challenge and look forward to making Joy of Christmas an annual event,? says Everett.

Those interested in participating as volunteers or vendors or those wishing to donate to SWC?s holiday efforts are encouraged to contact Sunrise Worship Center at (850) 482-8158.

Contacts:

Sunrise Worship Center

Samuel Everett, D.M.-Pastor

(850) 482-8158-church

(850) 209-2350-cell

-or-

Tamara Tanner

Event Organizer

(850) 445-2892

wearetanners @ msn.com

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