Gravette hosts Christmas events

GRAVETTE — The city of Gravette will host a variety of Christmas events on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The fun kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at the Gravette Public Library’s open house. The library, located at 119 Main Street S.E., will serve hot cider and cookies and children will have the opportunity to complete a Christmas tree bookmark craft.

A festive metal tree will be covered with candy canes and children can select one to take home. A Gingerbread Village, created by Maker Monday participants, will be on display. Christmas books and new book arrivals will be on display in the KidSPACE. Several Main Street businesses will also be open and have holiday activities for guests prior to the start of the parade.

The Gravette Christmas parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Main Street. Spectators gathered along the parade route will enjoy seeing vehicles from the Gravette Police Department’s fleet, engines from the Gravette Fire Department and many other decorated floats. The Gravette High School band will lead the parade and Santa will end the parade with his arrival to town on the back of a fire truck.

The theme for this year’s parade is “O Christmas Tree,” and trophies will be awarded for best use of lights, best use of the theme and most festive. Parade entry forms are available at Gravette City Hall and online at www.GravetteAR.com under the Christmas Parade tab.

Immediately following the parade, the Gravette Historical Museum will host an open house. Santa will be available inside the warmth of the museum annex for free pictures with the kids.

A trio from the Gravette High School band will provide holiday music. Guests can visit with friends and neighbors while enjoying free hot dogs and chips, hot chocolate and cookies. The Kindley House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be decorated for the holiday season and open for tours.

The Gravette Police Department and Gravette Fire Department will compete in a chili cookoff. Guests can sample the chili for free and vote for their favorite chili with a monetary donation. All proceeds will be donated to the winner’s charity of choice. The Gravette Police Department is cooking for Shop with a Cop and the Gravette Fire Department is cooking for Christmas for Kids.

Last year the police department won the cookoff so the fire department is itching for victory this year!

Submitted/KURT MADDOX Karen Benson, manager of the Gravette Public Library, serves cookies and hot cider at the city’s December 2018 Christmas celebration while Chamber of Commerce president Fred Overstreet waits in the background. The library will again kick off the holiday festivities with this year’s library open house beginning at 3:30 p.m., preceding the annual parade on Main Street. Refreshments will be served and children will be able to make a holiday bookmark.