PRCC’s Wildcat Wonderland returns for another magical night of family fun

5th annual Wildcat Wonderland November 18 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Pearl River Community College

Pearl River Community College will be welcoming community members onto the Poplarville campus for the fifth annual Wildcat Wonderland experience Nov. 18 from 5-7:30 p.m. 

This FREE event is guaranteed to have something for everyone in the family as PRCC comes to life with the holiday spirit. Much of campus is decorated with favorite shows in mind like “Peanuts,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and, of course, “Frozen.” 

“There is an excitement in the air,” said Senior Vice President for Instruction/Provost Dr. Martha Lou Smith. “People are preparing to welcome the community to the campus. 

“Faculty, staff and students work hard to get ready for the event, and this night kicks off the holiday season for everyone. We are blessed that PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood is always supportive of the event and he passes on his appreciation of the time that individuals dedicate to the night’s success.” 

Kids can visit with Santa in the Brownstone Center for the Arts, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, take a ride on the “Polar Express,” write letters to Santa, enjoy reindeer games, watch a Christmas movie on the Dobie Holden Stadium videoboard or make crafts and slime. 

Polar Express Train at PRCC Wildcat Wonderland in 2018

Many very special guests have been confirmed, including the Grinch, Olaf from “Frozen,” Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Snoopy. 

As if that wasn’t enough, PRCC is bringing in a bounce house as well as a live Nativity and petting zoo. 

There will also be lights — plenty of them. Thousands of lights and displays will illuminate PRCC so that even Santa Claus himself will be able to see Poplarville as he travels the globe. 

“Wildcat Wonderland is the shared efforts of many people from many departments,” Smith said. “Instructors, support services and the physical plant are all important to the event’s success. The same could be said of Stocking the Sleigh. Supporting students, staff and the community is a shared responsibility.” 

Additionally, PRCC’s Museum will also be open to the public. 

“As an employee and parent this is one of my favorite events all year,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management and Business Services Candace Harper. “The pure joy on my children’s faces remind me why the Wildcat Family decided to pull together forces and create a free public event to kick off the holiday season.  

“We pride ourselves on being a family-first institution and this is a prime example of creating a generation of future Wildcats who will remember this event for years to come.” 

STOCKING THE SLEIGH 

Attendees are asked to join the “Stocking the Sleigh” donation drive that evening. Non-perishable items will be collected at the red sleigh outside the recruitment office during Wildcat Wonderland. Donations will go to benefit children and students associated with The Market and Backpack Buddies of Poplarville, Inc. This is an easy way to help our neighbors during the holiday season. 

PRCC Stocking the Sleigh Donation Drive List of items accepted

PRCC’s Faculty & Staff Association is also hosting a collection drive in front of the Ramey’s grocery store across from PRCC’s Poplarville campus from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Nov. 18. Donations will go to “Stocking the Sleigh.” 

The donation drive is also being aided by the Wildcat Kids Club. 

The Market on the Poplarville Campus of PRCC is a food pantry for students, faculty and staff experiencing food insecurity. Items that are always needed include jelly, peanut butter, chicken noodle soup, fruit cups, hot chocolate packets, chips, soap, and toothpaste. 

Backpack Buddies of Poplarville was started in October 2014 and is housed at the First United Methodist Church of Poplarville. Their mission is to provide food for children within the Poplarville School District who have little or no food over the weekends and to provide unmet essential necessities throughout the school year. Donations are asked to be items that are individually packaged and typically with pull tab openings for younger children to manage. 

EXTRAORDINARY HOLIDAY PLAYLIST CONCERT 

Closing out the evening, PRCC students will perform at the Extraordinary Holiday Playlist concert held in the Brownstone Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. The audience will experience performances by The String of Pearls, PRCC Singers, The Voices, and Jazz Cats.  

Record with tree branches and lights around it. PRCC's Extraordinary Holiday Playlist

What is the Extraordinary Holiday Playlist? Well, Merry, who is something of a scrooge, remembers she has the spirit of Christmas in her after all. With help from her friends and a little Christmas magic from Santa, Merry hears the heart songs of everyday people and discovers hers, too. 

Tickets are $7 each and are available for purchase at prcc.edu/brownstone/events

Visit prcc.edu/wildcatwonderland for more information about the night. 

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).  

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.