Gov. Phil Bryant and his wife Debra will visit Osyka on Dec. 13 to take part in the Wreaths Across America event at the Osyka Veterans Park.
A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in which officials will lay wreaths in the park in honor of honors the town’s veterans.
The ceremony will be held in conjunction with others taking place throughout the nation, including at Arlington National Cemetery, at the same time.
“It’s usually cemeteries that get this honor but we’re the only park that’s every been picked” to participate in the event, said Julie Dycus. “It’s a big honor for Osyka for this to go into our small park.”
The event will serve as a club fundraiser, with proceeds going to maintain the park and the town’s veterans museum.
A Cajun gumbo fundraiser also will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wreaths may be ordered in prices ranging from $15 to $35 for wreaths with specific military branches. Send checks or money orders to Osyka Veterans Park, P.O. Box 402, Osyka, MS 39657. Give the name of the person being honored and the purchaser’s name, address, phone and email. Dec. 1 is the deadline to order.
Other activities that day in Osyka include a Christmas Festival on Railroad Avenue beginning at 10 a.m., with arts and crafts vendors, and the town’s Christmas parade, which rolls at 4 p.m. Parade line up will be at 3 at the Osyka Baptist Church. There is no entry fee. After the parade, Christmas entertainment will be on stage in the town park, which will have a 20-foot Christmas tree and photos of kids with Santa Claus. All children will receive a free, developed-on-the-spot picture in a card frame.
The night concludes with a 7 p.m. fireworks display.
