The annual celebration of fall in Moss Point is 25 years old, and as impressive as always. Begun as a means of promoting tourism for the River City in 1994, the name reflects the clarion call for fall – Rah, Rah, Rah!!! And that folks is the way Linda Holden and Billy Knight saw the opportunity to engage the citizens of Moss Point and encourage others to visit. And what better cheerleader than Linda to mobilize and sustain the great team of volunteers known as the Celebrations Committee.
These dedicated volunteers have transformed downtown Moss Point into a showcase that people from across the region travel to see. From a few pots of mums, some cornstalks and haybales, and the iconic sign of fall – pumpkins, this annual event has become a must see for visitors across the coast and region. Generations of children have played in the “Pumpkin Patch”, the “Hay Maze” and had pictures taken next to the “characters” and “critters” that occupy the multiple displays along Main Street. Each year brings a different theme, from Cajun’s sitting on a front porch, to Dancing Ladies, to Mother Goose, the “show” always delivers the “whimsey” that flows from Linda and her crew. As Linda herself said, “Over the past 25 years, Fall-de-Rah has added a lot of whimsy to the landscape and to our lives. But is has blessed us with thousands of smiles and a whopping share of heart.”
Sponsors over the years is a who’s who of local groups and visitors, including the Junior Auxillary, MS Export Railroad, Chevron, Holden Construction, John & Windy McKinney, the Jackson County Chamber, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, and many more. And when the pumpkins and haybales begin to fall apart, the Celebrations crew springs back into action, turning the surviving pumpkins into new creatures. A bit of creative stacking and some white paint, and voila, Snowmen appear to brighten up the Christmas season. A couple of rabbits and eggs follow in the spring.
What a way to dress up your community and make people smile in the process. Congratulations to Moss Point’s Celebrations Committee for 25 wonderful years of service and blessing to their fellow citizens and to those that have visited the River City to enjoy the show.
Photos provided by Celebrations Member Pam Perkins.