’TIS THE SEASON
PARADES AND PLAYS RING IN HOLIDAYS ACROSS THE REGION
Friday, November 20, 2009
It may not even be Thanksgiving yet, but there is little denying that the Christmas season is on the way, with holiday music being piped into stores everywhere. Let’s not forget the Christmas events, though, as a myriad of activities are beginning in the area. Here is a list of a few of the activities that can get Scrooges everywhere in the spirit.
Parades SPRINGDALE - The 13th Annual Christmas Parade of the Ozarks will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 on Emma Avenue in downtown Springdale. Information: Rodeo of the Ozarks at 756-0464 or visit rodeooftheozarks.com.
EUREKA SPRINGS - An appearance by Santa Claus, art cars and more will highlight the Eureka Springs Christmas parade which takes place at 6 p.m.
Dec. 4.
BENTONVILLE - The Downtown Bentonville Winter Wonderland Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 5. It is billed as the largest daytime parade in Arkansas and includes marching bands, antique cars and more.
Information: 254-0254.
ROGERS - A Monday evening parade will fill the streets of Rogers on Dec. 7 beginning at 7 p.m. Several prize categories exist for best float in the event sponsored by Main Street Rogers. Information: 936-5487.
FORT SMITH - The 69th annual Fort Smith Jaycees ChristmasParade begins at 3 p.m.
Dec. 12 on Garrison Avenue. It will include floats, high school bands and more. Parade awards will be given at the Fort Smith Convention Center following the parade. Information: 462-8108.
MAGAZINE - A parade will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in downtown Magazine with the theme of “Old Time Christmas.” Santa, along with refreshments and goodies, will be available at the Community Building following the parade.
Information: 969-8555.
OZARK - A parade featuring floats, exotic cars and the jolly fellow in the red suit will traveldown West Commercial Street beginning at dusk on Dec. 12.
Information: 667-2525.
VAN BUREN - The 10th annual Nighttime Christmas Parade will begin 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 down Main Street. All entries will be lighted. Information: 474-2761.
‘The Nutcracker’ FAYETTEVILLE - Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns to the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville for four performances featuring children from Northwest Arkansas, magnificent sets, thrilling choreography and a cast of more than 60. Shows are set for 8 p.m. Nov. 27, 2 and 8 p.m.
Nov. 28 and 2 p.m. Nov. 29, and tickets start at $28.50 by calling 443-5600.
FORT SMITH - The Arkansas Western Ballet will present its 24nd annual production of “The Nutcracker” at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Arkansas Best Corporation Performing Arts Center, 55 South Seventh St. A “Sugar Plum Fairy Tea” where audience members can meet the cast will be held after the morning performance. Tickets for the show, which go on sale on Nov. 30, are $25 and $20. Ticket prices for the tea have not been established.
Information: 785-0152.
Handel’s ‘Messiah FORT SMITH - The Fort Smith Symphony will present its interpretation of Handel’s “Messiah” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Arkansas Best Corporation Performing Arts Center, 55 South Seventh St. in Fort Smith. The performance will include guest vocalists and the combined talents of the Fort Smith Chorale and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Chorale. Tickets are $30 and $25 for adults, $17 and $13 for students. Information: 452-7575.
FAYETTEVILLE - The University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum, Master Chorale andSymphony Orchestra will present a full-length production of this holiday classic at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Walton Arts Center. Tickets start at $18.50 by calling 443-5600.
Plays “A CHRISTMAS STORY” - The Fort Smith Little Theatre presents the classic tale “A Christmas Story,” written by humorist Jean Shepherd, through Saturday at the venue at 401 N. Sixth St. in Fort Smith. The show follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker’s quest for a Red Ryder BB gun. Shows take place at 8 p.m. today and Saturday.
Tickets are $10 and are available by calling 783-2966.
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL” - Five performances of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be staged at the King Opera House, 427 Main St. in Van Buren.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Dec. 3-4, 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 5-6.
Admission is $5-$8. Information: 430-6866.
“THE BEST PAGEANT EVER” - The play “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a story about a group of ruffian children who put on a Christmas play, will be staged in Fort Smith, Springdale and Van Buren.
It has been a tradition at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale for the past decade, and it will return to the center’s stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 6. Tickets are $12 for ACO member adults, $8 for member students, $16 for nonmember adults and $9 for nonmember students.
Information: 751-5441. The show will be produced in Fort Smith at 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 20 in the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Breedlove Auditorium. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.uafortsmith.edu.
The Heritage Methodist Church also presents the show as a benefit for the Crawford County Meals for Kids program at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11 and Dec.
13 and 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the King Opera House, 427 Main St. in Van Buren. Information: 474-2426.
CHRISTMAS REVUE - Veteran cast members of Fort Smith Little Theatre shows will stage a Christmas variety show Dec.
10-12 at the theater at 401 N.
Sixth St. in Fort Smith. The show is called “Another Round of Silent Night.” Admission is $5.
Information: 783-2966.
FORT SMITH CHORALE - The Fort Smith Chorale presents “Carols by Candlelight 2009” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Immaculate Conception Church, 22 N. 13th St. in Fort Smith and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15 St.
in Fort Smith. Selections include “Gloria” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Tickets are $15.
Information: 242-7464.
CAMPUS LIGHTING - Christmas returns to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith campus with an annual showcase of music in the university’s Stubblefield Center.
The combined talents of the music department’s students will perform in concert beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 7. Admission to the concert is $6 or by Season of Entertainment 29 season pass.
After the concert, patrons will gather on the campus green for the lighting of the campus.
ARKANSAS WINDS - The Arkansas Winds Community Band is presenting a free holiday concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale.
Information: 751-5441.
OZARKS CHORALE - The Ozarks Chorale Old Fashion Christmas Concert will take place Dec. 12 at The Auditorium, 36 S. Main St. in Eureka Springs.
Admission is $10. Information: 253-7788.
ACO CHORALE - The ACO Chorale and ACO Children’s Choirs will present holiday music at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale.
Tickets are $9 for nonmember adults, $7 for member adults, $7 for nonmember students and $5 for member students and are available at www.
artscenteroftheozarks.org or by calling 751-5441.
Open Houses ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM - The Rogers Historical Museum, 322 S. Second St., will host its annual open house from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Nov. 29. The event includes crafts, refreshments, entertainment and tours of the Hawkins House. Entertainment will be provided by choir students from Rogers Heritage High School. This year’s theme at the Hawkins House is “Christmastime During World War I.” Admission is free. Information: 621-1154.
PRAIRIE GROVE BATTLEFIELD - Food will be cooking in the Latta House while demonstrations on spinning, weaving and lace making are also scheduled Dec. 5-6 at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, U.S. 62 in Prairie Grove. Admission is free.
Information: 846-2990.
FORT SMITH MUSEUM - The Fort Smith Museum of History will have an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at 320 Rogers Ave. in Fort Smith. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available before and after the city’s annual Christmas parade, which is at 3 p.m. Admission to the museum is free. Information: 783-7841.
Miscellaneous SANTA IN EUREKA - Santa Claus will visit Basin Springs Park in Eureka Springs to take toy requests beginning at 5 p.m. Nov.
27. He will arrive by trolley. Music, hot chocolate and costumed Christmas carolers will also be present. Information: 253-8737.
SANTA AT ACO - Santa and Mrs. Claus will spend Dec. 5 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale, having breakfast with children, decorating gingerbread cookies and posing for photos. There are seatings at 8 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., and tickets are $15 for children, $5 for adults by calling 751-5441.
Entertainment, Pages 19 on 11/20/2009
Comments
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.