Tourists could be seen walking in and out of select homes nearthe downtown Brookhaven area Saturday, getting themselves in theChristmas spirit and enjoying holiday displays.

Some people were so excited about the Tour of Homes that theyjust burst into spontaneous song. One of those was Shelby Price ofMcComb, who entertained a group of onlookers with an impromptu songin the home of Gregg Woodcox at 221 Natchez Ave.

“Get that girl’s name, she’s gonna be famous one day,” saidWoodcox, a musician himself, as the rising star left his home.

Woodcox’s house was just one of seven homes featured in thisyear’s Tour of Homes, sponsored by the Brookhaven-Lincoln CountyChamber of Commerce. The tour brought people to Brookhaven not onlyfrom all over Lincoln County, but from all over southernMississippi.

“We came last year and it was just gorgeous,” said Linda Wickerof McComb. “I love the decorations, and it’s neat to see howdifferent people use different ideas.”

Many of the onlookers were new to the tour, but many wereexperienced veterans, like Gloria Rayborn and Rene Fields ofBrookhaven.

“I’ve done this for several years,” said Rayborn. “I enjoyed ittremendously last year and I’m looking forward to enjoying the restof the tour this year as well.”

Gordon and Norma Sweeney, of Brookhaven, said homeowners’personalities reflected in their holiday decorations is part ofwhat makes the event so interesting and notable.

“Seeing the insides of these homes is the best part,” saidGordon, who had been in the home of Chad and Anna Smith at 537South Jackson St. when it was inhabited by the previous owners.”And how people do their decorations their own way. Each person hasdifferent taste.”

Norma Sweeney agreed that new perspectives in decorating can bebreathtaking.

“All the different decorations are just beautiful,” shesaid.

Anna Smith said while preparing for the Tour of Homes was alittle time-consuming, having everything done on time and seeingthe finished product was the best part.

“Getting everything you’ve been working on and putting off done,and knowing it’s all ready – that’s the best part,” she said. “Wejust got the outside part finished up around 10 o’clock.”

Woodcox agreed that being absolutely ready for hundreds ofholiday tourists to peruse your belongings can be a time-consumingproject, but meeting new people makes it all worth it.

“I just finished it up about two hours ago,” he said. “But it’sgood to have good friends and neighbors to help with thepreparations. And getting to meet people I don’t go to church withand talk to them is the fun part.”

Rayborn and Fields said each home had its own taste, and theyhad found the B Building apartments to be as much of a treat as thelarger homes.

“We just came from the apartments,” Rayborn said. “They’re justprecious.”

Fields said she also enjoyed the artsy flavor of the Smithhome.

“This is great. I love arts and crafts,” she said.