Annual Wassail Fest kicks off in downtown Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Wassail is in the air people from all over are flooding the streets of Columbus.

The city’s annual Wassail Fest is not only a great holiday event for family and friends, but businesses join in on the fun too.

“It is a huge, wonderful economic impact for our downtown area. One year, we calculated approximately 3,500 people from 5 to 8 p.m. That’s a lot of people in a three-hour span,” said Barbara Bigelow, Columbus Main Street Director.

She said friendly competition is fun for everyone.

“Jacklyn Humphries was just over and of course, she won it the year before last. She wants to get it back this year. So it’s a fun evening everywhere,” said Bigelow.

2022 Wassail Fest second-place champ and owner of Blade’s Hair Styling Jacklyn Humphries said she improved on an original recipe that made her a winner.

“I just kind of was making my tea one night that goes in it. And I decided, you know, I think I’m just going to add this. And ever since then, it’s made it better,” said Humphries.

Gloria Herriot, the owner of HollyHocks Gift Shop, said her store doesn’t miss an opportunity to join in on the fun and economic opportunity Wassail Fest brings to downtown Columbus.

“Today is December 1. It’s time to get serious about Christmas. So Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating, it’s now or never. So people really like coming to HollyHocks in particular because we go all the way with our Christmas decorations and our gifts. So, it’s a great way to kick off their shopping as well as our holiday season,” said Herriot.

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