A Poplarville resident exchanges a coupon she received at the Ping-Pong Ball Drop for a special treat.
Photo by Alexandra Hedrick

By Alexandra Hedrick

Picayune Item

The Ping-Pong ball drop in Poplarville on Saturday was considered a success by coordinator Peggy Smith with the Poplarville Chamber of Commerce.

Smith said 27 businesses participated in Saturday’s event and 35 bags of balls were sold to the businesses.

“I can’t complain about the crowd we had,” Smith said.

She said the chamber and the businesses hope to see more people at the event in the future, but she thinks the weather deterred some people from coming.

Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise, who bought a bag of balls, said the Ping-Pong Ball Drop has been a longstanding tradition.

“Once social media began posting pictures and comments from Saturday’s event, I began receiving messages from former Poplarville residents who now live out of state saying, ‘I can’t believe Poplarville is still celebrating the annual Christmas Pong Pong Drop… How I miss being able to go’,” Necaise said. “I believe it is so popular because of the ‘element of surprise.’ Some of the Ping Pong balls had prizes of $100 dollars cash, $50 dollar merchant gift certificates, and a $25 dollar Visa gift card.”

The biggest prize up for grabs was $100 from Holliday Construction, Smith said.

A few children and Santa Claus were chosen by the chamber to throw the Ping Pong balls off the fire truck as it was driven down the street.

The local businesses that participated were: The Jewerly Box, Apple’s, The Other Side, Pearl River Drugs, Fabulous You, Hall’s Service Station, Well’s Insurance, Tropical Body Bliss, The Kloze Klozet Kids Boutique, Way Out West Grill, Keith’s Superstore, Boone’s Pharmacy, Killer Planet Video and Scooters.

Stored in the Ping-Pong balls from Apple’s were discount coupons and Sonic, which also participated, had coupons redeemable for a free hot dog and fries.

“We are going to keep this and many more Poplarville traditions alive because people simply love the excitement,” Necaise said.