By Sonja J. Keith
Holiday shoppers prepare to be dazzled again this year at an annual event that promises more fun, food and specialty shopping than ever before.

The seventh annual Dazzle Daze is scheduled Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Conway Sports Center, Highway 65 and Interstate 40.
More than 60 merchants will offer gift items, gourmet food, home and holiday items, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, children’s items and much, much more. Shoppers can choose from several special events including Girls’ Nite Out, Breakfast with the Clauses, children’s choir performances, entertainment by Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Sponsored by the Conway Regional Women’s Council, proceeds from the event will help:
– Purchase KidMatch and help upgrade the Conway Regional Women’s Center to the latest and most advanced infant security technology.
– Purchase additional Well @ Home remote monitoring units for the Conway Regional telehealth program.
– Expand the assistance program for low-income families at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center.
For the second year, a raffle will be held in conjunction with Dazzle Daze. The grand prize is a 2009 Ford Mustang convertible from Smith Ford-Mercury. Second prize is a Sony 40-inch LCD Flat Panel HDTV donated by DeBoard Electronics. Third prize is a $500 gift certificate donated by Cajun Brothers Furniture.
“Don’t wait too long to get your raffle ticket,” said Joan Shofner, with the Conway Regional Health Foundation. “We sold all 500 last year. Several people were disappointed because they waited too long.”
Raffle tickets are $100 each and are limited to only 500 tickets sold. The drawing will be held at Dazzle Daze at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 (winner does not have to be present to win). The raffle ticket stub is good for one general shopping admission.
Women’s council members had an opportunity to see the Ford Mustang in person as the group held its kickoff luncheon to announce plans for this year’s Dazzle Daze. Mrs. Arkansas America 2008 Courtney Chivers was the guest speaker.
Event chairmen Shelia Whitmore and Julie Finley offered details for annual holiday shopping extravaganza, which will kick off with the Girls’ Nite Out Preview Party, 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20. Entertainment will be provided by the Rodney Block Trio. A variety of appetizers from local restaurants will be served. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Those attending will have an opportunity to win a beautiful bracelet donated by Fletcher Smith’s Jewelers and a $500 gift certificate from Cosmetic Laser Solutions.
General shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, with children under 12 free. There is a group rate of $3 per ticket for groups of 12 or more (advance ticket purchases only).
In addition to shopping, entertainment by children’s choirs as well as holiday demonstrations will be held throughout the event. In addition, the Dazzle Deli will offer lunch and dinner items for purchase from Tropical Smoothie during general shopping hours.
Other activities planned:
– Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for North Pole photos for $5 per photo.
– Tickets for Breakfast with the Clauses (8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday) are $10 and include a light breakfast, crafts and a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. A limited number of tickets are available, with advance purchase only.
To purchase tickets or for more information on Dazzle Daze, please call 501.513.5778, email [email protected] or visit www.DazzleDaze.com.