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Travelin’ the Arkansas Ozarks: Events Taking Place During December |
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Kimberly J. Williams and Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writers
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Note to the Print and Broadcast Media:
In order to better serve your needs and to keep you from getting extremely long documents from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, we have decided to break down our Travelin’ Arkansas release into regions organized by date. This way you will be able to look only at the areas you are interested in covering. The territories covered in Travelin' Arkansas adhere to the six geographical regions found in the Arkansas Tour Guide. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: communications@arkansas.com or 501-682-7606.*****************************************
Searcy’s Center on the Square Performing Arts Center will present a production of
The Homecoming from
Dec. 2-20. Based on the novel by Earl Hamner, Jr., the heart-warming drama focuses on the Spencer family and Clay Spencer’s attempts to return home on a snowy Christmas Eve. Ticket prices range from $16-27 and include dinner and the show. Visit www.CenterontheSquare.org or call 501-368-0111 for more details.
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The Victorian town of
Eureka Springs celebrates the holiday season with numerous events and twinkling decorations. Some of the festivities offered this year include the
42nd annual Silver Tea at the Crescent Hotel on
Dec. 3. The annual
Christmas Parade will be
Dec. 4 along Spring Street with the annual
Christmas Tour of Homes on
Dec. 5. The event includes guided tours of homes as well as choir music, caroling, refreshments and Victorian merriment. Also on
Dec. 5 will be the annual
Christmas Ball at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel. Proceeds from the ball benefit the Eureka Springs Historical Museum. The
Sweet Tastes Cookie Tour, which is a bed and breakfast holiday cookie and candy event, will take place on
Dec. 12.
For details on these and additional events such as
Santa’s Brunch or the
Ozarks Chorale annual Christmas Concert in this unique tourist town, visit www.eurekasprings.org or phone 479-253-7333 or 1-866-566-9387.
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Lake Charles State Park in
Powhatan will host a
Screech Owl Nest Box Workshop on
Dec. 5. Participants will learn how to create a backyard habitat for the Screech Owl and make their own owl box to take home. Reservations are required. For more information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-878-6595.
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Christmas will be in the air as it was in the days of the Civil War at
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in
Prairie Grove on
Dec. 5-6 during the
Christmas Open House. Food will be cooking in the park’s Latta House kitchen while members of the local Wool and Wheel Handspinners Guild and the Dogwood Lace groups demonstrate spinning, weaving, and lace making. Guided tours of the historic homes at the park will be offered.
In addition to the open house will be
Civil War living history demonstrations, including various military drills, and camp life. Visitors are encouraged to wander the grounds and talk with the re-enactors, who are volunteers from the Northwest 15th Arkansas Infantry. Admission is free. For more information phone 479-846-2990.
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The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad excursion train in
Springdale will become a
Children’s Christmas Train on
Dec. 5, offering rides to benefit two northwest Arkansas children’s organizations – Kid Care and Children’s Safety Center. The train rides will run from Springdale to Rogers and Springdale to Johnson. The Springdale depot will be transformed into Santa’s workshop with games and activities for kids. The cost to ride is $5 per child and $10 per adult. Visit www.arkansasmissouri-rr.com for more information.
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Explore the history of Smyrna Church and Cemetery in
Searcy as the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program hosts a
Walk Through History tour on
Dec. 5. The Smyrna Church is the oldest documented church building in Arkansas and the cemetery contains grave markers dating back to the 1850s. The event is co-sponsored by the White County Historical Society. For more information visit www.arkansaspreservation.org or phone the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program at 501-324-9880.
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Celebrate the holiday season as
Jacksonport State Park in
Newport hosts a
Christmas Open House on
Dec. 6. Tour the historic courthouse while it’s decked out in holiday finery. Local choirs, bands and groups will provide live music. For more information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Jacksonport State Park at 870-523-2143.
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The Old Independence Regional Museum in
Batesville will host an
Old Fashioned Family Christmas Party on
Dec. 12. The party gives kids and adults the opportunity to experience the traditions of Christmases past and learn the history of holiday customs. The event also features clogging demonstrations, a pie auction, games and hands-on activities. To find out more information log on to www.OIRM.org or phone 870-793-2121.
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Enjoy the holiday season with a touch of Victorian elegance as
Powhatan Historic State Park in
Powhatan hosts the annual
Holiday Ball on
Dec. 12. The 52nd Regimental String Band will provide music and dance instruction throughout the evening. For more information log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Powhatan Historic State Park at 870-878-6765.
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Experience the life of a pioneer child and their playthings as
Jacksonport State Park in
Newport hosts
Wooden Toys of the 1800s on
Dec. 13. Play with some of the favored games and trinkets from the 1800s, including a buzzsaw, ball and cup, and rolling hoops. For more information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Jacksonport State Park at 870-523-2143.
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Just in time for the holidays, the
25th annual Candy Cane Lane lights up
Pocahontas from
Dec. 17-24. The town’s Maple Street becomes Candy Cane Lane as neighborhood houses and lawns are decorated for the season. To learn more visit www.SeeRandolphCounty.com or contact the Randolph County Tourism Association at 870-892-0254.
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Powhatan Historic State Park in
Powhatan is offering an
Intermediate Tatting Workshop on
Dec. 19. Participants will learn new tatting techniques such as splicing and various knots in the half-day workshop. Class size is limited and reservations are suggested. For more information log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or call Powhatan Historic State Park at 870-878-6765.
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Celebrate the holiday season as Maynard Pioneer Park in
Maynard hosts
Christmas at the Park on
Dec. 24. The event features music, holiday goodies and a visit from the fellow from the North Pole. For more details phone 870-647-2701.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"