By: Grayce Spangler
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- With Holiday season coming up, there’s usually a lot to look forward to, but a lot of events are being canceled due to Covid-19.
Here are some Holiday events in North West Arkansas that are here to stay.
In Fayetteville…
One Tradition that will continue in Fayetteville this year is Lights of the Ozarks.
An estimated 5,000 people usually come to the downtown square to see the lights, but this popular event is being downscaled this year due to Covid-19.
Experience Fayetteville’s Community Engagement manager, Chloe Bell, said, “We’ve been focusing on the things we can do, instead of the things we can’t.”
Some changes include the square only having 3 vendors instead of the usual 7. Mask will be required along with hand sanitizer stations placed on each corner. “Unfortunately, you usually have pony rides and carriage rides, those will not be taking place under Lights of the Ozarks this year… But we want people to know that they can still come and view the lights,” Bell said. This event will be held at the Fayetteville Downtown Square November 20th – January 1st.
Another event that will be hosted this holiday season is the Holidaze Pop-Up Bar.
This event will be held at the Walton Arts Center in the outdoor rose garden.
The bar will continue to offer themed holiday drinks, but in light of Covid they will be using disposable cups and enforcing social distancing.
Holidaze is set to open on November 20th – December 31st. The bar’s hours will be from 5 p.m. till midnight. To-go drinks will also be offered.
One other event that is being held in Fayetteville is the popular Stewart Family Light Display.
The Stewart Family was happy to announce that the Christmas light display would go on this year, and said they expect it to be the biggest year yet.
The Stewart Family hasn’t released much, but they said people can expect some new exciting changes. They have moved some of the display onto a field, and people are expected to social distance and wear a mask.
November 20th is the opening day.
In Springdale…
Rodeo of the Ozarks is hosting Christmas Parade of the Ozarks at and around Parsons Stadium in Springdale. The parade will begin on November 28th starting at 6 p.m.
The parade will start at Parsons Stadium and will end along Johnson Street. This parade will include themed floats and vehicles.
Parsons Stadium is asking everyone to wear mask and socially distance along the streets.
In Rogers…
This year the Rogers Christmas Parade will be looking very different.
Downtown Rogers Operations Manager, Sheree Barns, says, “Unfortunately, we aren’t doing a live Christmas parade this year. We are presenting a Christmas Special that will basically be a holiday greeting from us and various businesses located in downtown Rogers.”
This event will be streamed live on Facebook and Youtube on December 4th at 6 p.m.
In Bentonville…
The Downtown Bentonville Square is hosting the annual “Lighting of the Square.”
There will be over 25 miles of lights and new displays. You can come view the lights beginning the week of November 16th.
The actually date of ceremonial lighting of the square is still to be determined, but the staff of Downtown Bentonville Inc. said that “we’re not doing a big event like normal, but the lights will be on for everyone to enjoy.”