03 Nov 2012 HOLIDAY EVENTS
The Conway Symphony Orchestra will present “Tinsel and Tutus” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas.
The holiday extravaganza combines highlights of “The Nutcracker” performed by the Arkansas Festival Ballet with performances by the Central Arkansas Children’s Choir, with special guest stars and new arrangements of holiday favorites.
The performance is underwritten by Conway Corporation. For more information, visit ConwaySymphony.org .
Petit Jean State Park will be dressed in its holiday finery for a Christmas Open House on Saturday, Dec. 1. Enjoy family-oriented arts and crafts activities and seasonal entertainment. Contact the park for a schedule. Admission is free. For more information, call 501.727.5441 or email [email protected].
The 55th Annual Jacksonville Christmas Parade is scheduled 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. For more information, call 501.982.4316.
“A Keyboard Christmas” will be presented at 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 4215 Prince St., Conway. Special guest will be Dr. Neil Rutman, artist-in-residence, at the University of Central Arkansas.
The Conway Men’s Chorus will present its 15th annual Christmas Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. The concert will feature a wide variety of seasonal selections from sacred to popular. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with free admission and parking. For information, visit conwaymenschorus.org.
The Saline County Celebration of Lights will kick off with the community Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4. The event will feature the official lighting of the county courthouse, free pictures with Santa and holiday entertainment. For more information, visit salinecounty.org.
The Greenbrier Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, Dec. 6, with the Lions Club Chili Cook-off starting at 5 p.m. at the City Event Center, 5 Lois Lane. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Eastside Elementary School. Cook-off winners will be announced at the end of the parade at the tree-lighting ceremony. For parade/chili entry forms or more information, contact Verna Higgins with the Lions Club at 501.472.7083 or the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce at 501.679.4009.
The Morrilton Christmas Parade – hosted by the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce – is planned 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. This year’s parade theme is “Red, White and Blue Christmas” and will take place in Downtown Morrilton. For information on the parade, call 501.354.2393, email [email protected] or stop by the Chamber office at 115 East Broadway. There is no fee for parade entries and awards will be given for the best entries in several categories.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, Junior Auxiliary of Conway will host its first Frozen Feet 5K at the Conway High School track at John McConnell Stadium. Costumes, jingle bells, hot chocolate, and jolly old St. Nick are just a few reasons this event will be full of holiday spirit and fun for children and adults of all ages.
Junior Auxiliary of Conway is the Faulkner County chapter of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries. Registration fees: Pre-Registration (through Tuesday, Nov. 20): $20; Late Registration (Wednesday, Nov. 21, through Tuesday, Dec. 4): $25; Race Day Registration (6:45 to 7:30 a.m.): $30. Team of six runners – $18/ each team member.
For more information, email [email protected]. To register online, visit racesonline.com.
‘Miracles at Christmas’ set for Dec. 1
The Century League of Morrilton will host its eighth annual “Miracles at Christmas” event at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Morrilton Country Club.
This annual event is one of the Century League’s main fundraisers. The 2011 “Miracles at Christmas” project was recently named the Community Project of the Year by the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s proceeds will support the Conway County Friends of CASA (Court- Appointed Special Advocates). CASA is a nationwide association of state and local programs that trains community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of children in state care. Today there are volunteers serving in more than 940 state and local programs. The Arkansas CASA Association was established in 1997, and CASA of the Tri-Peaks began in 2005 in Logan County. This program serves the children of Conway County, and the Conway County Friends of CASA is a local group that supports the organization by raising funds and awareness in the Morrilton area. (For more information, visit casaofthetripeaks.org.)
Miracles at Christmas will include a cocktail hour with appetizers followed by a catered meal and a silent auction filled with gorgeous Christmas decorations, including decorated trees, wreaths, lavish centerpieces, beautiful ornaments and more. The Century League requests donations of Christmas items for the raffle and silent auction from local businesses and individuals. The group has received overwhelming support from the community.
The Miracles silent auction has become known for the miniature Christmas trees that are decorated in a variety of festive themes and usually donated in memory or in honor of someone. “It is a magical evening and the perfect way to kick off the holiday season,” said League member Morgan Zimmerman.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from any Century League member. For more information about this event, contact Morgan at 479.
264.4332 or visit facebook.com/CenturyLeague.
Follow the 17th Annual Trail of Holiday Lights
The holidays bring families and friends together everywhere across the 501 and the entire state. During the holidays, celebrate with good cheer, fun activities and glorious displays with the 17th Annual Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights.
Communities across the state have already signed up to participate in this yearly promotion. This year, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has updated the program with an interactive upgrade to the Trail of Holiday Lights microsite. Now visitors searching for holiday happenings can find them all in one place – along with articles about the season and a full calendar of related events, as well as photos from around the state and special deals and coupons for the holidays.
The interactive website – at http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/trail-of-lights/ – allows communities to share their events with visitors who are searching for light displays, parades and other events – while also allowing those communities to make last-minute updates.
