This weekend, Pearl River County comes alive for the holiday season with a number of events planned with something for almost everyone.

Starting Friday, December 4, Main Street Picayune is hosting a Shop by Candlelight event with carriage rides, photos with Santa, Christmas stories for children, a live nativity, Christmas caroling and Art Works 2009.

Pegasus Carriage will be giving carriage rides on East and West Canal and illuminaries will be set out on West Canal for special lighting.

The carolers will be singing holiday songs by the clock on Main Street while at Cafe Amore, children will be able to listen to Christmas stories.

Starting at 6 p.m. at the Train Depot, there will be a ribbon cutting for the new Transportation Museum with entertainment to follow: 6:30 p.m. — Neary Studio singers; 6:45 p.m. — Picayune On Stage Dickens character singing holiday songs; 7 p.m. — the mother, daughter, and grandmother team, The Hallberg Family, will entertain the audience with flute music; 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Ken Cashion.

At the Depot will also be the Art Works 2009 where members will display their work and have a silent auction featuring members’ art works and craft items.

The festivities will continue on Saturday.

But before heading to Picayune, stop in McNeill for the Christmas on the Trail at the McNeill Walking Trail, located off of Henleyfield-McNeill Road across from the elementary school.

Starting at 5 p.m., Christmas on the Trail will feature a live nativity scene presented by the First Baptist Church of McNeill and Santa and his elves will greet visitors. There will be Christmas carols as you walk along the trail to enjoy the beautiful lights and decorations, and there will be a telling of the Christmas Story. Refreshments will also be available and parents are encouraged to bring their cameras to catch a picture of their children chatting with Santa.

On Saturday, take a drive and tour the three homes, one church, and one not-for-profit business featured in the Christmas Pilgrimage sponsored by the Civic Women’s Club of Picayune.

For $10 advance purchase or $12 the day of the tour, participants will have a guided tour of each of the places featured.

Wander through the spacious rooms of the Lee Ranch on George Wise Road; explore the Checkers Mitchell place, a classic home built in the 1930’s in Nicholson featuring wood harvested from the land; be awed by the tastefully decorated Davis home on Lake David Drive; marvel at the beauty of the First Baptist Church of Picayune; and stop in for a rest room break at the Senior Center of Pearl River and be treated to delightful refreshments while checking out the annex built in 2007. The first 300 visitors to stop by the Center will receive a complimentary gift from St. Joseph’s Hospice.

Also Saturday, at 7 p.m. in the Picayune Memorial High School auditorium, Coast Pageants will feature the teen competitions with two local ladies, Alexandra Parker of Picayune and Kristina Williams of Carriere, vying for one of two crowns. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and admission is $10.

Then on Sunday, December 6, the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library will feature a special program honoring Veterans from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Cultural Room.

Mr. John “Al” Mipro from the World War II Museum in New Orleans, along with several Veterans form the area and New Orleans, will discuss the contribution made by the United States to victory by the Allies in World War II.

World War II artifacts will be brought for viewing, along with a slide show, and a video will be shown. Questions will be answered and participants can enjoy the fellowship with others that have served our country so bravely. This program is free to the public and refreshments will be served.

So, rather than hanging home watching television, get out this weekend and enjoy a little holiday spirit while also perhaps grabbing a present or two.