Jackson, Miss. –Two popular, annual holiday events have once again been named “Top 20 Events” by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS). This is the second year in a row the events have been chosen for the prestigious designation.

The Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree and the Chimneyville Crafts Festival are on STS’s calendar of Top 20 Events for October through December 2006. Both are part of Jingle Bell Jackson, a city-wide celebration of events, attractions and other holiday offerings taking place from November 1, 2006 through January 5, 2007.

In its 31st year, the Chimneyville Crafts Festival is considered the finest crafts show in the southeastern United States. The show promotes and preserves the fine work of regional craftsmen through demonstrations, displays, and sales by more than 140 craftsmen. Among the works for sale are wood, leather, metal, fiber, glass, clay, pine needle, gourds and paper. There are many one-of-a-kind gift items such as quilts, jewelry, blown and stained glass, woodcarvings, furniture, decorative accessories, baskets, beadwork, hand-woven wearables, other fiber arts, and more. The event begins with a preview party on Friday night, December 1, and continues through the weekend, drawing people from as far away as Texas and Florida.

To be nominated for a Top 20 Event, an event must be at least in its third year and must have a minimum attendance of 1,000. Winners are selected quarterly and the published list is sent to more than 300 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, and others, as well as 125 AAA publications. STS Top 20 Events are also published on the Southeast Tourism Society web sites at www.southeasttourism.org and www.escapetothesoutheast.com.

Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.