By Rita Howell

Fourteen choirs are set to perform Christmas songs in a program Saturday afternoon at Batesville’s Downtown Memorial Park. Members of Batesville First United Methodist Church have organized the free event as the “Community Christmas Carol Sing.” Listeners are invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an afternoon of Christmas music. The audience will be encouraged to sing familiar carols in between choir performances.

The program will begin at 1 p.m. Each choir may sing two songs. A schedule of performances is listed on page B3.

Choirs slated to perform are: Batesville First Baptist Church, Viney Creek Baptist, New Bethlehem Baptist, South Panola High School Choir, First United Methodist Church, Mt. Gilliom Baptist, the cast of Panola Playhouse’s production of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” Shiloh M.B. Church, Batesville Presbyterian Church, St. Peter Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Concord Baptist Church, Armstrong St. Church of God, and West Camp M.B. Church.

Handbell groups and a men’s ensemble are among the choirs.

Ricky Swindle and Michael Dixon will serve as emcees.

Joanne Autrey is coordinating the event for Batesville First UMC.

She asked that choirs “please be on time. It’s a tight schedule.”

“Everybody seems real excited about it,” she said. “We’ve had so much cooperation. People have donated equipment and time. And they’re talking about making this an annual event.”