The Poplarville Campus of Pearl River Community College was transformed into a magical winter wonderland Thursday night for the seventh annual Wildcat Wonderland. An estimated crowd of more than 5,000 community members enjoyed the holiday spirit floating about campus. Many ended the evening of festivities by attending the Comfort & Joy Holiday Concert in the Brownstone Center.
WILDCAT WONDERLAND
The Poplarville Campus was transformed into a magical holiday-themed wonderland with a touch of snow in the air from where Anna, Elsa, and Olaf greeted visitors. Each corner of campus had something to offer those who came out for this free community focused event.
Along with decorations and lights, there was a live Nativity with students from the PRCC Baptist Student Union filling the familiar roles. And, behind them was a favorite stop: a petting zoo that included a camel, a pen of small animals and ponies for children to experience a guided promenade around Centennial Green.
The town of Who-Ville was quite popular with the children. Several photo opportunities were set up including a meet and greet with the green man himself, The Grinch, and Miss Cindy Lou Who. Cosmetology students were on hand in White Hall to help attendees become more festive with Who-Ville hair and holiday themed face painting.
Thousands of children visited Mrs. Claus to decorate a sugar cookie and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa inside the cafeteria. Also, inside Crosby Hall were crafting stations including the very popular ornament painting in the Wildcat Hub with festive displays throughout the halls.
Several stations had hands-on activities for the kids including making Grinch-approved slime with the STEM Club, writing letters to Santa at the PRCC Post Office, preparing reindeer food for Christmas Eve with the Recruitment River Navigators and Miss Pearl River County Savanah Faith Sylvest, and playing games with members of the PRCC Baseball and Softball teams. The library offered Rudolph face painting to match reindeer antlers.
The Enrollment Offices distributed cotton candy and popcorn along with games. Nearby, attendees were able to get photos with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, with members of the women’s basketball team helping out.
The ever-popular train ride transported guests on a special light-filled ride around the front of campus with members of the Football team and PRCC Cheer assisting. A new stop on the route was Holiday Barbie and Ken. A short walk away to Seal Hall had attendees oohing and aahing at the Lego Land display while some young attendees took time to spin the Dreidel and build their own Lego creations.
Guests were treated to vocal performances by PRCC students in the Brownstone lobby while awaiting their turn to see Santa Claus. Miss PRCC Kassidy McMahon served as Santa’s special helper for the evening.
The evening also included an opportunity for community members to give back through a food drive for The Market. Several staff members from Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home were conducting a toy drive as well.
Spring Stembridge and her daughter Arabella of Poplarville were attending Wildcat Wonderland for the third time. They look forward to it each year, including the concert.
“My favorite activity was making the Grinch Slime,” said Arabella Stembridge right after she shared her finished slime with a little girl who arrived too late to make it before the concert.
Photos from Wildcat Wonderland are available for free by visiting PRCC’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/PRCCMKTG.
COMFORT & JOY HOLIDAY CONCERT
The annual holiday concert featuring different student performance groups ended the enchanting evening. Community members of all ages and many PRCC students packed the Brownstone Center for the Arts to enjoy an hour of dancing and music.
The concert featured vocal performances by the female ensemble, The Currents, the new male ensemble, The Rapids, and the premier a capella group, The Voices. Upbeat music was provided by the Jazz Cats, with Mike Bass directing, Hope Bass on piano and Andy Gilstrap on vibraphone. Several numbers featured dancing by The String of Pearls. Interspersed between the songs were spoken recitations, including the familiar “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
Cierra Johnson of Waynesboro attended the concert with friends. She is a PRCC sophomore and a member of the PRCC Singers. Before the concert, she helped manage the line for Santa and enjoyed dancing and soaking up the festive mood while classmates performed in the lobby.
“Winter Wonderland by The Currents was my favorite piece,” said Johnson. “It was really jazzy in a way you don’t usually hear. It made the song a lot better.”
MORE HOLIDAY FUN
The Dr. Cecil E Burt Special Events room on PRCC’s Forrest County Campus will experience a dose of holiday spirit during the annual Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert. The combination of delicious dessert items, fellowship with new and old friends, and musical entertainment is set to create a magical night for all.
Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event that typically sells out. Individual tickets are $9. A reserved table (8 seats) is $100. You can reserve your tickets at the Forrest County Campus Library at 601-554-5522.
One more holiday-focused event is scheduled on the Poplarville Campus. The South Mississippi Ballet will once again take to the stage in the Brownstone Center to perform the beloved ballet, “The Nutcracker.”
Performances are scheduled for Saturday, December 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for orchestra seating and $17 for balcony seating. Discounts are available for groups of eleven or more. Purchase assigned seats at prcc.edu/brownstone/upcoming-events/ or at the door one hour prior to the performance.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).
