Mistletoe Market kicks off local shopping season
TEXARKANA, Ark. — A new name, a new location and tweaks to the schedule — there’s a lot “new” to what’s traditionally been called Mistletoe Fair.
Now called Mistletoe Market, this annual, unofficial initiation of the holiday shopping season runs from Friday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Arkansas Convention Center.
For many years, this Junior League of Texarkana fundraiser called the Four States Fairgrounds home, but the market has adopted a new venue for the many vendors and entertainment options that make this such a unique stop on the Texarkana social calendar.
General market hours run noon to 4 p.m. that Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. that Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. that Sunday. Special events scheduled are Mimosas & Mistletoe from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, the Preview Party from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Ladies’ Night Out from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Monica Harrison is board president of the Junior League of Texarkana, and this year’s market continues a longtime tradition, she says.
“This is our thirty-fourth annual holiday market. The Junior League’s been doing this for 33 years until this year. The opportunity presented itself for us to move our location to the Arkansas Convention Center and we were excited to do that this year,” Harrison said. “And while we were moving we decided to go ahead and re-brand the event with a new name.”
A new name helps generate new excitement about the event, she said. They’ve also created a new logo, which, along with the new name, replaces the annual
theme change they’ve had each year.
Over the years, the fair location served them well, Harrison said. “We always enjoyed working with the Four States Fairgrounds,” Harrison said.
However, the Junior League chapter has a new venue where the market’s many facets can entertain market-goers. Many returning vendors will be on hand, some of the favorites that shoppers have come to love, plus a few new vendors. Food trucks will be available at a food court area instead of the normal concession stand from the past.
This year’s Preview Party brings live music and more, along with the announcement of the benefit drawing winner. On Saturday, Ladies’ Night Out is a night for women to shop with their friends, the board president said.
“The first 50 ladies who come will receive a bracelet compliments of Micah’s Jewelers in their goody bag,” Harrison said. Live music, catered food, drinks and fun giveaways add to the festivities.
Mistletoe & Mimosas gives shoppers a chance to buy before the fair technically opens to the public. “That really is like a first look for anyone wanting to come and shop,” Harrison said. “Marissa Escobar will be leading a make-and-take workshop for the ladies to attend that, where they can make a Christmas decoration for their home. She’ll guide that activity and they can take it home with them.”
Children’s events — such as Santa’s Arrival (8:45 a.m. Saturday), Breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Workshop, Storytime with Santa and Pictures with Santa — make Saturday and Sunday a special time for the children.
“We’re going to have a red carpet out for Santa, and he’s going to arrive with Mrs. Claus. And then we’ll start children’s events. Those children’s events are interactive experiences with kids where Santa will be there and talk with the kids and interact with kiddos,” Harrison said. All the children’s events include a picture with Santa by Alamond Photography.
What makes the market such an enduring part of Texarkana’s holiday tradition? New name and all, they aim to continue this tradition of making holiday memories while they raise funds for the many Junior League of Texarkana activities in the community.
“It really does kick off the Christmas shopping season in Texarkana. It’s been around a long time. There’s a lot of memories people have made through the years at Mistletoe Fair, and we hope to continue that now with our new name, Mistletoe Market,” Harrison said.
(Ticket prices are as follows: general admission, $5 in advance or $7 at the door; weekend pass, $10 in advance or $12 at the door; Mimosas & Mistletoe, $30; Preview Party, $50; Ladies’ Night Out, $30; children’s events, $25; benefit drawing, $50; designer handbag drawing, $10 each or 5 for $40. More info, a complete schedule and ticket purchase: www.jltexarkana.org/mistletoe-market-2019 or 870-7729948. Arkansas Convention Center is located at 5200 Convention Plaza Drive.)