Celebrations Continue in Downtown Rogers through Christmas

The annual Holiday Hoopla activities will get underway in Downtown Rogers on Nov. 30 with a variety of events and a very special guest stopping by Frisco Park to light the Christmas Tree. Holiday Hoopla is a series of family-friendly events and activities coordinated by Main Street Rogers, Inc. and Downtown Rogers businesses. More than 10 events will be held, starting on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, and continuing through Christmas.

 

Small Business Saturday

Downtown Rogers businesses will celebrate “Small Business Saturday” on Nov. 30 with open houses and specials. The event encourages shoppers to support local small businesses as a way to boost the local economy and invigorate the downtown neighborhood.

Main Street Rogers will host the Recharge Station from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. inside Dollar Saver, 101 E. Walnut St. The Recharge Station will offer shoppers a place to meet up with friends or family, sample tasty treats from Downtown Rogers restaurants and warm up before more shopping. Gift wrapping services will be available at the Recharge Station, with proceeds benefitting a local nonprofit, and chair massages will be offered by Downtown Rogers massage therapists. An ensemble from the Heritage High School Band will also be playing holiday music on the streets from 10 a.m. to noon.

 

Holiday Hoopla Kick-off

The Holiday Hoopla Kick-off, led by Mayor Greg Hines, will be held on Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. at the Frisco Stage, located at First and Elm streets. This free, family event will feature music by the School of Rock, and dance performances by the Ballet Westside corps. Enjoy Christmas carols and holiday music while walking through the park, which will be lit with thousands of Christmas lights.

The evening’s special guest, Santa Claus, will arrive in Rogers just in time to help Mayor Hines light the tree, but how Santa arrives at the stage will be a surprise for everyone.

The intersection at First and Elm streets will be closed for the event. Free parking is available in city parking lots and on streets surrounding the park. Those attending are invited to stay after the ceremony to pose for family photos in front of the Christmas Tree. Downtown Rogers restaurants will be open, offering an opportunity to enjoy the entire day in Downtown Rogers.

 

Shop Downtown Rogers on Dec. 1

Many Downtown Rogers businesses will also open on Dec. 1 for the afternoon to encourage shoppers to continue to “shop local.” Business and restaurants are planning to be open throughout the downtown district.

 

Rogers Christmas Parade

Holiday Hoopla continues on Dec. 2 with the annual Rogers Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. through the downtown streets. “Holidays Around the World” will be featured on parade entries as this year’s theme, celebrating the traditions and cultures found in the community.

Parade entries will leave the starting gate at 7 p.m., and should pass in front of the Frisco Stage at First and Elm streets at 7:15 p.m.  The parade route begins at the corner of South Fifth and Poplar streets, heading east toward the business district. Entries will turn left onto South First Street, passing parade judges and emcees at the Frisco Stage. The route turns left again onto West Walnut Street for six blocks to turn left onto Seventh Street, ending at Tillery Elementary School.

Grand marshal of the parade will be Kerry Jensen, former director of Main Street Rogers, Inc. More than 75 entries will vie for four cash prizes in categories for outstanding light display, use of religious theme, best inclusion of children and overall use of the parade theme.

At the Frisco Stage on First Street, KNWA’s Neile Jones, Dick Trammel and Mayor Hines will provide descriptions of each parade entry. Bleachers will be in place near the stage to view the parade, and parade-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Entertainment on the Frisco Stage will begin at 6:00 p.m., featuring students at Ballet Westside performing Christmas favorites including “Carol of the Bells,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Run, Run Rudolph,” and many more, concluding with a candle-lit production of “Christmas Canon.”

 

Open Late ‘til 8 Activities

Many Downtown Rogers businesses will be “Open Late ‘til 8” on Thursdays in December allowing additional convenient shopping hours for the public. A list of participating businesses will be posted at www.MainStreetRogers.com. Activities planned for each Thursday offer another reason to shop, dine and explore Downtown Rogers.

Compete in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest on Dec. 5 simply by visiting the Frisco Stage at First & Elm streets to enter. Photos of each entry will be posted on the Downtown Rogers Facebook page for the public to vote on their favorites. A variety of businesses will also take part in the second annual Holiday Sips Contest that evening, vying for a coveted trophy for the best holiday beverage. Purchase a tasting card for $5 to sample each beverage and vote for a favorite in three categories. Proceeds benefit Main Street Rogers. Tasting cards are limited and are available in advance at www.MainStreetRogers.com or at the event while supplies last.

Ladies can enjoy a quiet evening of shopping and socializing on Dec. 12, with an opportunity to fill out their Downtown Rogers Holiday Wish List while they shop. Specials and sales will be offered in various shops.

Guys will have their turn on the last Thursday before Christmas, Dec. 19. Men are encouraged to bring the Downtown Rogers Holiday Wish List with them to help them find the perfect gifts for everyone on their lists. Restaurant specials and discounts will be offered during the evening.

 

Santa on the Caboose

Boys and girls are invited to visit Santa on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Frisco Caboose at the corner of W. Walnut and S. First streets on Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Take family photos and deliver holiday wishes to Santa on a real caboose. A special mailbox next to the caboose is a great place to drop off your letter to Santa at any time.

 

Holiday Hoopla Family Movie

A brand-new event this year will feature “The Polar Express” shown on Dec. 21 at the Victory Theater, 116 S. Second St. The Holiday Hoopla Family Movie sponsored by Keith Noble Insurance-Nationwide is perfect for children ages 3-12 and their families. Everyone will enjoy cookies and hot cocoa during the movie, along with a visit from Santa, special treats and gifts. Tickets for the movie event are $10 per person, available only online at www.MainStreetRogers.com, with proceeds benefitting Main Street Rogers.

Additional sponsors making this year’s Holiday Hoopla events possible include Aelous Property Management, Arrowhead Boat Sales, Arvest Bank, Crafton Tull, Farmers Insurance-Rick McLeod, TreeHouse Sales & Solutions, Sam’s Club #4969, the Daisy Airgun Museum, Mosca Design Inc., United Bank, WGW Marketing, 3W Magazine, Ballet Westside, Peekaboo NWA, NWA Kids’ Directory, NWA Media and CitiScapes Magazine.

 

Events are open to the public, and free of charge unless otherwise noted. For more information on Holiday Hoopla, visit www.MainStreetRogers.com, follow Downtown Rogers on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Dana Mather at Main Street Rogers at 479-936-5487 or dmather@rogersark.org.