Update: There will be several donation opportunities at the First Thursday Fayetteville event (Thursday, Dec. 3). There will be a table for non-perishable food donations through Mayor Lioneld Jordan’s “WE CAN” drive (to support local food banks). The Fayetteville Animal Shelter is also accepting donations of pet food, cleaning supplies and other pet-related items for their 2009 Jingle Bells and Wagging Tails drive.
Santa Claus is coming to town! We love, love the Santa at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. He just looks “right” and it’s great to have consistency in the Santa pictures every year (he’s pictured above with the lovely Mackenzie Scott, daughter of the mall’s marketing director, Diane). Here are Old St.Nick’s visiting hours at the NWA Mall this year:
- Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Break: 3 p.m.-4 p.m.)
- Sunday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (Break: 3 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Santa will also be visiting with children at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Food Pavilion. Here are Santa’s hours through Dec. 24th:
- Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 2-5 p.m.; 6-8 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon to 3 p.m.; 3:30-6 p.m.
For more info about visiting Santa at the promenade, click here.
If your kids just need more Santa, how about breakfasting with him? The Courtyard by Marriott in Fayetteville is Santa’s home away from home and he’ll be available for visiting on Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 8-10 am. Admission is $10 per child/$15 per adult and includes a hot breakfast buffet and exclusive photo opportunities with Santa. Limited seating is available and reservations must be made by Friday December 4th. To make your reservations, please call 479-571-4900. www.CourtyardFayetteville.com.
If you can’t make breakfast that day, Santa will also be available at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale on Saturday, Dec. 5. They have lots of fun treats planned for children of all ages including breakfast, a personal visit with Santa, a keepsake photo with him, decorating gingerbread cookies with Mrs. Claus, creating special ornaments and more! Click here for tickets.
This month’s First Thursday Fayetteville event will be festive for sure! It’s Thursday night (Dec. 3) from 5 to 8 p.m. and it’s the perfect time to go check out the gorgeous new energy-efficient led Lights of the Ozarks display on the square if you haven’t made it by there yet. The event will feature new art exhibits (hosted by ddpgallery and fayettevilleunderground) and a shopping Holiday Open House. The open house will be hosted by local shops on and around the Downtown Square.
The following businesses will be open to shoppers until at least 8 that night (click on the name to see their website): Bliss Cupcake Cafe (have you heard of this new shop? It just opened and these cupcakes are amazing!); Town and County Shop; Dark Star Visuals; Good Things Boutique; Jammin’ Java; Hand Held – A Knitting Gallery; Corazon; Sound Warehouse (live band “Beans and Cornbread” playing in the store from 6-8 p.m.); French Quarters Antiques; and I.M. Spa.
I.M. Spa will not only be open, they’ll also have therapists doing foot massage at the Fayetteville Underground from 5-8 p.m. There’s much more going on, but we’re running out of space. Just plan to eat dinner near the square (there are at least nine restaurants to choose from) and hang out for a few hours!
Main Street Rogers festivities: The Rogers Community Christmas parade will be Monday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. Main Street Rogers will also host WinterFest in the Rogers Historic District on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa will be in the park plus children can shop for parents and siblings at the “Elf House”. Carriage and Christmas train rides and much more! (Click here for more info.) Also, Santa will be hanging out at the Santa House in Centennial Park (S. First Street) on Friday and Saturday nights — Dec. 11-12, 18-19.
Downtown Bentonville’s Annual Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. Over 90 entries including floats and marching groups! Come early and stay after the parade for family activities on the downtown square.
Children’s Holiday Express PJ Train! The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad has several evening rides with Santa planned: Dec. 10, 5 p.m.; Dec. 13th, 6 p.m.; and Dec. 17th 6:30 p.m. The rides are 2 1/2 hours long and will travel from Springdale to Winslow. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa with Santa. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for kids and children under 3 are free. Call 479-725-4017 or 800-687-8600 for tickets and information.
Christmas treats! Cake Party owner Tina Matsubara sent us a note this week to let us know they’ll have evening drop-in workshops for kids to decorate cakes and cookies ($10). The dates are Dec. 14, 16, 21, and 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. Cake Party will also have appointment only drop-off classes on Tues./Thurs. from 5-6:30 p.m. on Dec. 15, 17 and 22. Cost is $20 which includes a cake, cookie and cupcake. Click here for more info.
Live Christmas Trees! We don’t know of anyone super-close with a Christmas tree farm, but if you’re willing to drive a little south on 540, you and the kids can look for the perfect tree on 18 acres in Rudy. Connie Lollis of Lollis Tree Farm (which is in its 20th year of operation this holiday season) said you pick the tree, they cut it, bail it and load it for you. Connie said you might even spy some deer or wild pig tracks while you’re roaming around the forest. For directions, give Connie a call at 479-474-2102. She’s really nice.
We also hear that there are cut trees available in the Gator Golf parking lot on College Avenue in Fayetteville.
Westwood Gardens is also a good place to buy cut Christmas trees or those you plant. They have four locations. Click here for more info.
FYI- the Santa at NWA Mall they won’t let you take your own pictures… the cheapest package is $25.