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Friends,
We hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving full of food and fellowship with family and friends. This is an exciting time in the City of Little Rock every year as we kick off the festive holiday season.
Last week, we joined hundreds of Little Rock residents at the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree in Capitol Plaza in Downtown Little Rock. On Saturday, Dec. 7, we will continue the celebrations with two major holiday parades, the BIG Little Rock Holiday Parade and the Southwest Little Rock Christmas Parade.
This year's "So Southwest" Little Rock parade kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy in the 9000 block of Geyer Springs Road. The route continues north on Geyer Springs to the Arkansas State Police headquarters. The parade will feature local businesses and organizations, schools and bands, dance groups, monster trucks, floats, Santa Claus and more. Parade-goers are asked to bring their chairs and blankets and to arrive along the route no later than 1:30 p.m.
Saturday marks the return of the Little Rock holiday parade traditionally held Downtown in conjunction with the lighting of the Arkansas State Capitol. This year, the BIG Little Rock Holiday Parade rolls through the River Market, starting at 4 p.m.
The route kicks off at the intersection of Broadway and Markham St., continuing east to the Clinton Presidential Center. This citywide holiday parade has the theme "Floats Along the River" in recognition of Little Rock's connection to the Arkansas River and its importance to our community.
In addition to the parade, there will be numerous activations along the route, including an ornament craft station with artist Matthew Castellano, photos with Santa, letters to Santa, hot chocolate courtesy of Nexus Coffee and Creative, and holiday cookies from Community Bakery. Please make plans to join the fun as we celebrate the holidays and our vibrant Downtown.
The annual "Bright the Night" tree-lighting event was a wonderful time to enjoy free hot chocolate, cookies, photos with Santa and the Grinch, and so much more that Downtown has to offer. Our appreciation to the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, which organizes this event every year.
The City of Little Rock's 32-foot-tree was set up by team members from our Parks and Recreation Department. It will be lit through the new year. Please be sure to check out the tree and other holiday displays in and around Capitol Plaza, located at the intersection of Main Street and Capitol Avenue.
While you're Downtown to watch the parade or to see the tree, please visit the merchants and restaurants responsible for the economic growth and development of our urban core. Also, be sure to say hello to our Downtown Ambassadors. Wearing blue and green uniforms, these friendly faces are Downtown seven days a week to offer help and hospitality to residents and guests.
The Little Rock Board of Directors and Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau recently approved funding for another year of the Ambassador program. Our ambassadors are easily identifiable, and they are there to offer assistance to the public, report any issues and to establish connections with our local businesses and Downtown community.
We encourage residents and visitors to celebrate this season safely and enjoy all the activities our City has to offer. The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau maintains a comprehensive calendar of holiday festivities throughout Little Rock. Click here for the calendar of events.
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