Holiday Lighting, Parade Scheduled for Saturday

— The Christmas season begins Saturday with the annual lighting of the downtown square.

Parks and Recreation workers strung about 450,000 multicolored lightbulbs throughout the square.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan is scheduled to flip the switch at 6 p.m. on the Lights of the Ozarks.

A parade will then head east on West Mountain Street from the Public Library, circle the downtown square and head west on West Center Street.

A live band will perform, refreshments will be served and Santa Claus will be available to take pictures with children after the parade, said Godwin-Charles Ogbeide, an associate professor with the University of Arkansas’ hospitality and restaurant management program.

Students are participating in the event through Ogbeide’s meetings and events class at the university.

Nightly carriage, pony and camel rides will be available through Dec. 31.

Choirs are scheduled to perform on the square Nov. 29, Dec. 7 and 11. A holiday pet pageant is set for Dec. 1.

For more information about all events associated with Lights of the Ozarks, go to thelightsoftheozarks.com or call the Visitors Bureau at 479-521-5776.

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