What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1483945
MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette I t's beginning to look a lot like Christmas — all over downtown that is. Lighting ceremonies begin this weekend in downtown Bentonville and Fayetteville while Eureka Springs shops deck their windows for the holiday season. The Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department started hanging LED lights in October for the Nov. 18 lighting night for the Lights of the Ozarks display at the Fayetteville square. "They start prior to Halloween, and so it's always funny. People always ask if we're hanging up Halloween night lights. Nope. It's just quite a process. The team at Parks [and Recreation] works really, really hard, but they do have to start it in early October," says Molly Rawn, CEO of Experience Fayetteville. Once the lights starting glowing, the Lights of the Ozarks parade begins around 6 p.m. "We are happy to celebrate that Dr. John L Colbert, superintendent of the Fayetteville Public Schools, is going to be our grand marshal. This is our way to celebrate and thank him and honor him for 47 years of service to public education at Fayetteville schools, which is just incredible," Rawn adds. "Also this year, Santa's got some upgraded digs. When kids and families come out to meet Santa Claus and get their picture with Santa, he is in an igloo of sorts." After the Friday night parade, Rawn says that folks should check Experience Fayetteville for Santa's other appearances during the Lights of the Ozarks, which will glow until Jan. 1, 2023. There will be a "Letters To Santa" box at the Experience Fayetteville office on the corner of the square. "People should know that the event kicks off around 6 o'clock. It won't start right at 6," Rawn says. The annual lighting event and parade are back at full force this year after smaller events the last two years. Downtown Bentonville celebrates the season on Nov. 19 with performances starting at 4 p.m. by Adrija Dance, Mariachi Amistad, Turning Pointe Dance Center, Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, Ozark Ballet Theater, Beer & Hymns, Ocean Waves and Chinese Association of Northwest Arkansas on the Main Stage downtown. There will also be a Santa workshop that has crafts and activities for kids and pictures with Santa. Lighting of the Downtown Bentonville Square begins promptly at 6 p.m. "Experiencing the holidays in Downtown Bentonville is magical!" enthuses Dana Sargent Schlagenhaft, Downtown Bentonville's communications director. "Our team loves to produce the city of Bentonville's lighting of the square to kick off this special season with our community and flip the switch to brighten up the Bentonville square. It's a great way to showcase the miles and miles of holiday lights (35-plus miles of lights!) that Bentonville's Parks and 12 WHAT'S UP! NOVEMBER 13-19, 2022 ROUNDUP 'Tis The Season Nights are getting 'merry & bright' for Christmas A Christmas celebration begins at 4 p.m. Nov. 19 prior to the lighting of the Bentonville square. There will be Main Stage performances by Adrija Dance, Mariachi Amistad, Turning Pointe Dance Center, Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, Ozark Ballet Theater, Beer & Hymns, Ocean Waves and Chinese Association of Northwest Arkansas. There will also be a Santa Workshop with crafts and activities for kids. There will be pictures with Santa available during the event. Lighting is promptly at 6 p.m. (Courtesy Photo) See Events Page 37