The holiday season starts early in DeSoto County this year. If you’re looking for DeSoto County things to do this weekend, Nov. 13-15, there’s plenty. Hernando’s Dickens of a Christmas opens Friday night on the historic courthouse square. Five county high school football teams start the MHSAA playoffs at the same hour, and the Landers Center in Southaven hosts pro basketball and hockey. Pack a heavy coat, though. Forecasters expect the coldest air of the season so far, with a hard freeze Saturday morning.
Hernando Dickens of a Christmas Opens Friday
According to the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce, the Victorian-themed festival returns to the Hernando square for two days, a week earlier than last year’s Nov. 21-22 dates.
Friday, Nov. 13: Ice skating runs 5 to 8 p.m. The Christmas tree lighting is set for 6 p.m., followed by a story from Mayor Chip Johnson for children and a showing of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at 6:30 p.m. Hot cocoa and a food court will be set up on Panola Street.
Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Live entertainment, holiday shopping, folk craft demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, historic trolley tours and children’s activities.
Saturday, Nov. 14, 4:30 p.m.: DeSoto Family Theatre holds a Dickens-themed Cookies & Cocoa celebration at 1 Memphis Street, with caroling, crafts and cocoa. Tickets cost $15 per person, every attendee needs one, and space is limited. Call (662) 280-6546 with questions.
Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 to 4 p.m.: Participating downtown Hernando shops open for the Day After Dickens shopping event, which includes a Holiday Display Showdown and complimentary gift wrapping at select stores.
Friday Night Football: Playoffs Begin for Five County Teams
The first round of the MHSAA football playoffs kicks off Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. Five DeSoto County teams are in the field, and three of them play at home:
Class 6A: Ridgeland at Lake Cormorant (10-0)
Class 6A: Canton at Center Hill
Class 7A: Germantown at DeSoto Central
Class 7A: Hernando at Madison Central
Class 7A: Horn Lake at Oxford
Unbeaten Lake Cormorant finished the regular season with a 42-14 win at Olive Branch. The state championship games are scheduled for Dec. 3-5 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.
Landers Center Events in Southaven
The Landers Center at 4560 Venture Drive has three home games over four nights, according to its events calendar:
Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.: Memphis Hustle vs. Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League)
Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.: Memphis Hustle vs. Oklahoma City Blue
Saturday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.: Mid-South Monarchs vs. Columbus River Dragons (hockey)
The box office number is (662) 280-9120. The Monarchs return Nov. 20-21 against the Stockton Thunder, and Nov. 21 is Military Night.
Weekend Weather: Bundle Up for a Hard Freeze
The National Weather Service in Memphis says a cold front moving through Wednesday night will bring much cooler air from Thursday into the weekend. For the Hernando area, the forecast calls for:
Friday: Sunny with a high near 52, then mostly clear and around 31 Friday night
Saturday: Sunny with a high near 51, then a low near 33
Sunday: Partly sunny with a high near 54, with a chance of rain showers Sunday night
In its Wednesday forecast discussion, the weather service said a hard freeze is expected over north Mississippi Saturday morning, with lows in the mid to upper 20s in colder spots. No freeze warning will be issued, because the official growing season ended Oct. 31. Still, the cold will likely end plant growth for the season. Anyone heading to Friday’s tree lighting or a playoff game should dress in layers, and residents should bring pets inside and protect outdoor plants and exposed pipes.
