For as long as she can remember, Aly Floyd dreamed about one day reigning over the Lincoln County Christmas parade as Miss Merry Christmas.

Dreams do come true.

The 17-year-old senior from Loyd Star High School was chosen by a panel of judges Monday night as the holiday ambassador for the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

Over the next two months, Floyd, the daughter of John and Tina Floyd, will visit restaurants and shops participating in the annual Christmas Open House, attend Chamber events, make appearances and ride in the Christmas parade wearing the Miss Merry Christmas red robe and sparkly crown.

“To be able to be in this position and have younger kids looking up to me, it’s just an honor,” she said.

Floyd competed against four other young women for the title — Maley Moak, Brooke Brister, Madelynn Thornton and Belle Davis.

“All the other girls did amazing, I’m sure, and they’re all amazing people,” she said.

Floyd plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College before heading to a four-year university to get a degree in occupational therapy.

“I want to do something good with my life and I want to be able to help people,” she said. “And I feel like with that I would be able to fulfill that.”

Rita Rich, a former Christmas committee chairwoman for the Chamber, founded the Miss Merry Christmas program in the mid 1990s as a way of creating more interest in the parade without detracting from the parade itself.

The Christmas parade will roll through the downtown area Nov. 29 beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Storybook Christmas.” Robert E. Tyler from Tyler Funeral Home will serve as the grand marshal and Miss Mississippi Asya Branch will also ride in the parade.

The entry fee for groups and floats is $35. Call the Chamber at 601-833-1411 for more information.

The Chamber will have its hand in several other holiday events.

Brookhaven’s Christmas Open House is Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thirty businesses are participating in the event, said Chamber Program Director Katie Nations.

With the help of the Brookhaven Tourism Council, the Chamber will show “The Star” on the lawn at Mississippi School of the Arts on Dec. 1. Entertainment starts at 5 p.m. and the movie begins at 6:30 p.m.