NATCHEZ — The weather may have been balmy instead of cold, but that didn’t do anything to the spirit of the Miss-Lou residents who gathered Sunday for Caroling in the Park.

In its 12th year, this year’s Caroling in the Park was a benefit for the Natchez Stewpot.

Starting near dark, people gathered at Memorial Park, bringing dried goods and exchanging them for candles at the entrance.

“This is a great evening for us — the people of Natchez — and our visitors to show our love for our fellow man,” Adams County Supervisor Darryl Grennell said as he welcomed the singers.

When the time came to start, the event’s organizer Kathy Sizemore lit the first candle, and all other candles were lit one-by-one.

Natchez resident Jewel Causey walked over to the caroling from her home on State Street.

“I think (the caroling) is very nice, and it was very nice for the community to come out,” she said.

That sense of community was what Lee Johnson appreciated about the event.

“Caroling in the park is awesome,” she said. “It is something to bring the community together.”

Even though his favorite song — “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” — wasn’t in the program, the Rev. John Larson said he enjoyed himself.

“I’m fighting the wind to keep by candle lit, but other than that, it’s fun,” he said.

Chris Cavette led the singing, and Burnley Cook accompanied it on the keyboard.