With the flip of a switch affixed with a giant red bow, the state Capitol lit up with more than 55,000 white lights Saturday night in downtown Little Rock.
The day of holiday cheer began with the Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade and culminated with the lighting of the Capitol, which is an Arkansas tradition that goes back to 1938.
Actor Judge Reinhold, who is known for his roles in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins and The Santa Clause, hosted the lighting ceremony, which included a brief appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus as guests of honor.
After the crowd counted down from 10, Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin flipped the switch with help from three children from Easter Seals Arkansas. The children helped the secretary of state because "he's a little weak," Reinhold joked.
The lights switched on, and so did the fireworks, sparking little "oohs" and "aahs" from children and adults huddled in coats and hats.
The weather was dry Saturday but a little cold for those lined up along the parade route from Second Street and Broadway along Capitol Avenue and ending at the state Capitol.
A few people sat in lawn chairs under blankets. Payton Branhan, 4, was not one of them. He stood on Capitol Avenue and waved back at the dancers, pageant winners and costumed people on floats who tossed candy.
"He's having a blast," said his mother, Ashlee Branhan of North Little Rock. Payton was attending his fourth-consecutive parade, which is sponsored by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn sleigh were the final attraction of the parade, which ended near the Capitol.
Turning on the lights marks the beginning of the holiday season at the Capitol, which will be open on weekends throughout December so people can stop by to view the decorations inside the building and out.
Santa's workshop has been set up inside the Capitol, and banners, wreaths and lights are hanging throughout the building.
On Monday, school choirs from all over the state will begin performing in the second floor rotunda for the annual "Sounds of the Season" program. The public is welcome to attend the performances from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 18.
Each choir has 20 minutes, and the performances will be streamed live online by the state House of Representatives.
Metro on 12/06/2015