November in Lucedale: Veterans Day, a Win-and-In Rebels Finale, Gingham Tree, and the Road to Christmas

November has officially arrived in George County, and it came in busy. In the span of a few weeks we get a Veterans Day parade on Main Street, a win-and-in football game for the Rebels, the 54th Gingham Tree, a brand new art festival downtown, Thanksgiving break, and the first glow of Christmas on Main Street. If you blinked after Halloween, do not worry. We rounded it all up here so you can grab a pen and fill in the family calendar.

As always, dates and times can shift, especially when weather gets involved. Every source is linked at the bottom of this article, so give the organizer a quick check before you head out.

Election Day Recap: What George County Voters Decided

Tuesday was Election Day, and George County voters had several local and regional races on the ballot. Here is what the Sun Herald reported as of Wednesday morning. Keep in mind that every result is unofficial until it is certified.

• George County School Board, District 5: Wade Whittington ran unopposed for a six-year term.
• George County School Board, District 2 (special election): Robert "Rob" Hunt ran unopposed.
• Constable, District 1 (special election): Charles "Ed" Vise ran unopposed.
• Chancery Court Judge, District 16, Place 1: This seat covers Jackson and George counties, and the Sun Herald reported that D. Neil Harris Sr. and Jennifer Sekul Harris appear headed to a runoff.
• Circuit Court Judge, District 18, Place 1: Brad R. Thompson defeated Eric Tiebauer with nearly 75 percent of the vote.

On the federal side, the Associated Press called the Fourth Congressional District for incumbent Mike Ezell. The U.S. Senate race between Cindy Hyde-Smith and Scott Colom was still too close to call as of early Wednesday, with affidavit ballots still to be counted, according to the Sun Herald. We will leave the statewide play-by-play to the news outlets, but whichever way you voted, thank you for showing up. A big thank you also goes to the poll workers who spent a long day making it all run.

Thursday Night Is Win and In for the Rebels

The regular season ends at home on Thursday, November 5, and it could not be set up any better. The George County Rebels host Forest Hill at 7 PM at George County High School, with tickets on GoFan.

Here is why it matters. In Classes 5A through 7A, the top four teams in each region make the playoffs. Press Coverage, which tracks the Mississippi playoff picture, reports that Hattiesburg, West Jones, and Terry have already clinched their spots in Region 3-6A, and that Forest Hill is in with a win at George County. Heading into Thursday, the MHSAA standings show the Rebels and Forest Hill tied at 1 and 3 in region play, with Jim Hill at 0 and 4. Do the math, and it looks a lot like a winner-take-the-last-spot game. Bring your loudest voice and your maroon and gold.

The Rebels are coming off a 39 to 21 loss at Terry on October 30, which puts them at 3 and 6 overall. If they punch their ticket, the 6A playoffs begin Friday, November 13, followed by the second round on November 20 and the North and South championships on November 27, according to High School On SI. The Class 6A state championship is set for Thursday, December 3, at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.

Hoops and Soccer Are Off to a Good Start

While football fights for its postseason life, the winter sports are already rolling, and the early returns are fun.

Boys basketball is 2 and 0, according to MaxPreps. The Rebels opened with a 37 to 34 win over Pearl River Central on October 31, then went on the road and beat Stone 66 to 48 on November 3. Girls basketball picked up a 57 to 39 win at Stone that same night.

Soccer had a big Tuesday too. At Gautier on November 3, the boys won 4 to 0 and the girls won 7 to 0. Both teams have played a tough early schedule, so a pair of shutout wins is a nice way to turn the page.

Want to see them at home? GoFan lists home soccer against Pascagoula on Monday, November 9, and against D'Iberville on Monday, November 16, both starting at 5:30 PM. Home basketball includes Richton on Wednesday, November 11, and Greene County on Thursday, November 19, both at 6 PM. Over Thanksgiving week, George County High School hosts the Rudolph Sellers Thanksgiving Invitational from November 23 to 25. You will find more games and the full schedule on our Sports page.

Veterans Day in Lucedale

Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, and Lucedale honors it in a big way. The George County Chamber of Commerce calendar lists the Veterans Day Parade on Main Street that day. A start time had not been posted when we checked, so keep an eye on the Chamber's calendar as the date gets closer. City offices are closed for the holiday, according to the city's 2026 calendar of events.

If you have driven down Main Street lately, you have probably noticed the Veterans Banners. The Chamber's Arts Committee sponsors those banners as one of its yearly fundraisers, and they hang along Main, Winter, and Mill Streets from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. This is the last week to stroll by and look for familiar names and faces, so take a few minutes to do it.

Here is a quiet tradition worth catching. Lucedale City Park is home to the Veterans' Sundial, designed by the late Jim Corley, a George County native and engineer. As Our Mississippi Home has described it, five pillars are positioned so that at 11 AM on November 11, sunlight passes through precisely placed holes and lights up a Veterans Administration insignia. It only works when the sun cooperates, so cross your fingers for clear skies.

The night before, on Tuesday, November 10, the Chamber calendar lists an American Legion Steak Night at Hickory Hog on Main Street. Whether you go to the parade, visit the sundial, or simply say thank you to the veteran next to you in line, take a moment this week to honor the men and women who served.

New Doors Opening Around Town

The Chamber has a full slate of ribbon cuttings this month. Each one only takes a few minutes, and it means a lot to the owners when the community shows up.

• Calico House Mission Market: Friday, November 6, at 11 AM, 4298 Main Street.
• Jack's Home + Hardware: Tuesday, November 10, at 11 AM, 12101 Highway 63 South.
• Blue Willow and Grace: Friday, November 13, at 11 AM, 5183 Main Street.
• George County Lucedale Historical Museum: Friday, November 20, at 11 AM, 287 Cox Street.
• Broken K Farms and Photography: Friday, December 4, at 11 AM, 11237 Highway 26 West in the Benndale community.

The museum ribbon cutting is one we are especially excited about. A town with roots as deep as ours deserves a place to tell its story, so plan to stop by Cox Street and see what they have put together.

Chamber members should also mark Tuesday, November 17. The Chamber's Annual Membership Meeting is at 6 PM at The Venue of Anderson Oaks.

Saturday, November 14: Gingham Tree and More

If there is one Saturday to clear on your calendar this month, it is November 14. The Gingham Tree Arts and Crafts Festival returns for its 54th year at the George County Fairgrounds from 8 AM to 4 PM. WKRG reports that this year's festival will feature more than 300 vendors, children's entertainment, and food, and that admission and parking are both free. It is a perfect day to knock out some early Christmas shopping while supporting makers from all over the region.

That same day, the George County Amateur Radio Emergency Service hosts its 5th Annual Scratching Post from 8 AM to 6 PM at the American Legion Building, 130 Beaver Dam Road. The Chamber notes it is open to the public. And of course, the Fall Farmers Market will be set up on Courthouse Square that morning too.

The Farmers Market Is Having a Record Fall

Speaking of the market, the George County Times reported that the Fall Farmers Market got off to another record-breaking start, with 30 farmers and vendors setting up booths on October 24. Market manager Annis Dailey told the paper it was a great turnout thanks to beautiful weather and lots of shoppers. One of the more interesting stories from that morning involved a vendor selling a hot sauce made with peppers from Peru, with the money going to support a children's home there.

The market sets up in front of the George County Courthouse every Saturday morning from sunup to sellout, which the Times says is usually around 11 AM or noon. You have three Saturdays left: November 7, 14, and 21. If you grow it or make it, the Times also reports there is still time to become a vendor, and there is no charge to set up.

A Brand New Art Festival Downtown

Saturday, November 21, brings something new to Main Street. The Arts Committee of the George County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its inaugural Lucedale Art Festival downtown, around Teel Magnolia Venue, Kate Havard Park, and the nearby side streets. The Chamber calendar lists the hours as 8 AM to 4 PM.

The Lucedale-George County Public Library will be there with its Art Eros Button Bar, where visitors can design a button inspired by their favorite art style and take it home. Library staff will also be on hand to share what the library offers, from eBooks and audiobooks to programs for every age.

We love seeing this. The Arts Committee is also the group behind the Tricia Havard Art Scholarship for graduating seniors and murals around town, including the interactive mural on Mill Street. An art festival feels like a natural next step.

What's On at the Library This Month

The Lucedale-George County Public Library at 507 Oak Street has a packed November calendar. Here are the highlights.

• Today, Wednesday, November 4: A bilingual Día de los Muertos Story Time at 11 AM, presented in English and Spanish, followed by a beginner-friendly Technology and Computer Literacy class for adults at 1 PM in the computer lab.
• Monday, November 9: GCASA Homeschoolers host their annual Craft Bazaar at 1 PM. Homeschool students become merchants and "sell" their homemade goods. No real money changes hands, and it is free to enter and open to all homeschoolers.
• Tuesday, November 10: Monthly Bingo at 2 PM. No registration needed.
• November 13, 14, and 16: The Kid's Collection Exhibition, a museum-style display of collections put together by local young collectors. It is open Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th from 10 AM to 3 PM, and Monday the 16th from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is free.
• Tuesday, November 17: LEGO Club at 4 PM. Children under 10 need an adult with them.
• Thursday, November 19: A Beginner Watercolor Workshop at 5 PM, led by professional artist Christine Cole.
• Tuesday, November 24: The monthly Writers Club meets at 5 PM on the last Tuesday of the month.

Story Time also continues every Tuesday at 10 AM. For details on any program, call the library at 601-947-2123.

Thanksgiving Week

George County School District students are out for Thanksgiving break from November 23 through November 27, according to the district's 2026 to 2027 academic calendar. City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, according to the city's calendar of events. A quick heads up for parents: progress reports go home on November 19, the week before the break.

If you need something to do with the kids that week, the Circus Classic comes to the George County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 24, at 7 PM, according to its Eventbrite listing. And the Rudolph Sellers Thanksgiving Invitational will have basketball going at George County High School from November 23 to 25.

However you celebrate, we hope your table is full and your people are close.

The Road to Christmas Starts on Main Street

Once the turkey is put away, Lucedale flips the switch to Christmas, and it happens fast.

Saturday, November 28: The Christmas Tree Lighting on Main Street is on the Chamber calendar. The Downtown Merchants of Lucedale also list Magic on Main that same day, promising holiday treats, wholesome fun, and maybe even a visit from Santa. Times had not been posted for either event when we checked, so watch for updates.

Saturday, December 5: This is the big one. The city's calendar lists an open house at City Hall from 3 to 5 PM, and the Annual Christmas Parade rolls down Main Street at 6 PM. Our Mississippi Home has written that Lucedale's first Christmas parade was held in 1955 with 14 floats, that the Lucedale Rotary Club sponsors it, and that it is set for the first Saturday of December each year. The same history notes that the parade now features about 70 entries of floats and marching groups, with Santa still the star of the night. Get there early and bring a chair.

A few more December dates: Santa Claus at the Mural is Tuesday, December 8, from 5 to 7 PM at the mural at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Traditions, 987 Mill Street. George County Touch A Truck is Saturday, December 12, from noon to 4 PM at the George County Fairgrounds. Both are on the Chamber calendar.

See You Around Town

That is a lot of living packed into one month, and that is exactly how we like it. Wave a flag at the parade, cheer like crazy on Thursday night, fill a bag at Gingham Tree, buy something beautiful from a local artist, and save a seat on Main Street for the first glow of Christmas.

Know about an event we missed? Use the "Submit an Event" button on our events page, and we will review it for the calendar. See y'all on Main Street.