January 8, 2026
Pearl River Community College has received a generous animated Christmas light show donation made in loving memory of “Pawpaw” Dub Herring. The donation will enhance PRCC’s annual Wildcat Wonderland, allowing the college to continue a beloved holiday tradition that brought joy to families across the Picayune community for nearly two decades.
PRCC is honored to carry forward the legacy of Pawpaw’s Christmas light show, which was formerly hosted at Pawpaw’s Campers and Cars. Provost Dr. Martha Smith, who heads up Wildcat Wonderland each year, said, “Wildcat Wonderland is a one-night event each year, and we always hope to provide families and community members with an opportunity to experience the spirit of Christmas. As a Wildcat family, our gift is the joy we receive from giving of ourselves that night. Being able to share these lights through the Christmas season allows us to honor Dub Herring’s spirit of continuous giving”.
For years, Dub Herring created the display as a way to give back to the community by offering a free Christmas experience where families could gather, celebrate the season, and enjoy time together. His mission was simple but powerful: to spread Christmas cheer, make people smile, and share the message of the Gospel by celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
With more than 4,000 visitors to Wildcat Wonderland each year and an enrollment of over 6,000 students, relocating the light show to PRCC will allow Pawpaw’s legacy to reach an even larger audience. The college campus provides a meaningful setting where his tradition of love, generosity, and joy can continue to grow.
In addition to providing a festive experience for the community, PRCC hopes to use the light show as a hands-on learning opportunity for students. Students will gain practical experience through the setup and operation of the display’s electrical and instrumental components, blending education with service and tradition.
The Christmas light show will kick off during Wildcat Wonderland and continue throughout the holiday season, welcoming students, employees, and community members to enjoy the display with their families. This expanded reach ensures that Pawpaw’s mission of spreading love, happiness, and hope lives on for generations to come.
PRCC is grateful for the opportunity to honor Dub “Pawpaw” Herring’s memory by preserving a tradition that embodies the true spirit of Christmas.
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Article by Dr. Candace Harper.
