Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement.
Mayor John Horhn invites Jackson residents and visitors to celebrate the holiday season with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and parade, featuring renowned physician and civil rights leader Dr. Robert Smith as the grand marshal.
The festivities begin Friday, December 5, at 4:00 p.m. with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the garden outside City Hall, where community members can enjoy festive lights, live music, and family-friendly activities. The evening continues with the holiday parade on Saturday, December 6, starting at 6:00 p.m. along Capitol Street, showcasing floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer as it winds through downtown Jackson.
Dr. Robert Smith, a native of Jackson and trailblazing healthcare advocate, brings a legacy of service to this year's event. A graduate of Tougaloo College and Howard University School of Medicine, Dr. Smith returned to Mississippi in 1962 to serve as the first volunteer Southern medical field director for the Medical Committee for Human Rights, supporting the Civil Rights Movement's healthcare efforts. He played a pivotal role in establishing Federally Qualified Health Centers nationwide, including leading Central Mississippi Health Services since 1963 as the state's first multispecialty clinic providing care regardless of ability to pay, and has influenced healthcare access for millions through his academic and clinical contributions at institutions like the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.
“We are honored to have Dr. Smith, a true Jackson icon whose lifelong dedication to equality and community health embodies the spirit of the holidays, lead our parade as grand marshal,” said Mayor John Horhn. “His work reminds us that service to others is the greatest gift we can give this season.”
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Office of Communications at (601) 960-0462.
