This year’s Christmas on the River activities kick off tonight with the Lighting of the Love Lights and the presentation of this year’s Special Child at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital.
The event, sponsored by the BWWMH Auxiliary will be held on the hospital’s front lawn at 5 p.m.
One of the highlights of the event is the naming of this year’s Special Child, which is Jada Morris.
Morris is the daughter of Adrienne Fancher and Joe Morris. A second grade student at Westside Elementary, Jada has shown bravery and resiliency despite her struggles with Down’s Syndrome.
“Jada has Downs Syndrome, but that does not define who she is. She is sweet and caring. I can be having the worst day and when I get around her everything is better. Her hugs and kisses always make the day a little brighter. She doesn’t see age or race; everyone is the same to her and that’s how it should be. We are truly blessed to have her in our life,” said her mother Adrienne.
Down’s Syndrome is a condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of the chromosome 21, resulting in learning difficulties and physical differences.
Along with her parents, Jada has two brothers, a twin brother Jason and an older brother Jayden.
Program organizers said that those who may see Jada and her family celebrating Christmas on the River, or in the Children’s Parade, should give her a big wave as she has been proclaimed the most Special Child of this year’s Christmas on the River.
Christmas on the River events continue on Thursday with the Lighting of the Public Square and crowning of “St. Nick” at 5:30 p.m.
On Friday, open houses will be held at Bluff Hall, Lyon Hall and Gaineswood and the Alabama State Championship BBQ Cook-Off will be held at George Franks Ball Field beginning at 5 p.m.
Saturday sees a full schedule of events beginning with Fair on the Square kicking off at 7:30 a.m., the Jingle Bell Run at 8 a.m., open houses at Bluff Hall and Gaineswood, the Day Parade at 11:30 a.m., the judging for the BBQ Cook-Off, the Nautical Parade at 6 p.m., the Canebrake Players presentation of “A Christmas Carol,” and the COTR Gala and Dance at the Demopolis Civic Center concludes this year’s events.