A Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, Dream 365 is a five day event that will bring thousands of people together to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. in Columbus, MS on January 12-16, 2012.  This celebration is a time when many will rededicate themselves to the principles of freedom and justice and will also serve to raise scholarship funds for deserving students in the local area through the MLK literacy program. 

Festivities kick off on Thursday night with Jazz & Spoken Word, poetic tributes and performance with live jazz music featuring Muzik In Action.  This event is being held at the Rosenzweig Art Center from 6:00pm-9:00pm and tickets are $10.

The Unity Stepshow will be on Friday at the Trotter Convention Center and will showcase high school and college steppers performing with a dedication to the civil rights era.  The show begins at 7:30pm and tickets are $10.

Community Service Day will begin at 9:00am on Saturday and is a free event open to the public.  After a hard day of work, relax with Laughter for the Soul, a comedy show starting at 8:00pm at the Trotter Convention Center.  Tickets are $10.

On Sunday you can enjoy the Dream 365 Gospel Spotlight Spiritual Evening of Praise & Worship.  This event is free to the public and starts at 5:30pm at the Trotter Convention Center.  This will be an evening of reflection of the contributions made in the past.

The MLK Breakfast 50^th Anniversary Tribute to James Meredith will be from 8:30am- 10:00am on Monday at the Trotter Convention Center.  Otis Moss III is the keynote speaker and honors and awards will be given out during the breakfast.  Tickets are $15.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call (662)-855-1MLK (1655).

Gulfport, Mississippi and the Bayou Bernard Boating Club, Inc. celebrates the 10^th annual Christmas on the Bayou on December 10, 2011.  This lighted boat parade is free for spectators and will kick off at 6pm starting at the Bayou Bernard. 

The parade will begin at Gulfport Lake, down Bayou Bernard, and finish at the mouth of the Bayou at Big Lake.  Bleacher seating is free and available to the public at Gulfport Lake, and at the foot of the Cowan Lorrain Bridge.  This parade of lights was awarded as a Top 20 Fall Event in 2008 and 2010 by the Southeast Tourism Society. 

Local artist, Richard Alan Haugh designed this year’s commemorative t-shirt, so get yours here before it’s too late.  Orders must be submitted by December 1, 2011.

Make your hotel reservations in advance and don’t miss this chance to put a little extra sparkle in your holiday season!