Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
‘Tis The Season
Festival of Trees lights up Mount Sequoyah
The first ever Festival of Trees at Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville opens to the public on Nov. 30 with the setup for the event starting at 9 a.m. Nov. 27.
“It’s really great, fun holiday moment,” says Grace Dilday, an experience coordinator at Mount Sequoyah Center. “We’re going to have community members, businesses and individuals alike decorate and donate Christmas trees, which will line the Great Room of Parker Hall, which is one of the oldest buildings on campus. The trees will then be auctioned off throughout the event, and the proceeds will then benefit the historic preservation of spaces like Parker Hall.”
Over the two week celebration, there will be no cost and ticketed events such as caroling nights with hot cocoa and cider, pictures with Santa and the Wampus Wonderland Christmas Fair Dec. 3-4. The festivities will conclude with the Cheers to 100 Years Cocktail Party from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 10.
Fenix Arts will be co-host of the Winter Wampus Wonderland arts and crafts fair being held at the Mount Sequoyah Creative Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 and noon to
4 p.m. Dec. 4. A large selection of small artworks by represented Fenix Fayetteville artists will be presented for holiday gift ideas at the Fenix Gallery. The display will include members’ original works selected to be appropriate for gift-giving. This is a “Buy and Take” show; any artwork may be taken at the time of purchase. Fenix will host music, refreshments and more artists at the Millar Lodge. Gallery hours during the winter will be noon to 5 p.m. Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Dilday adds that there is a gift shop with locally made goods and local honey in the parlor room of Parker
Hall throughout the event. Find more information and events during the Festival of Trees, visit mountsequoyah.org/experience/nwafestivaloftrees.
Ozark Ballet Theater
Ozark Ballet Theater will present ‘The Nutcracker’ at four locations throughout Northwest Arkansas. The first showing will be 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Berry Performing Arts Center at John Brown University, 1400 W. Valley Drive in Siloam Springs. The second show will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at The Medium at 214 S. Main St. in
Springdale. The final performances will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18 at Don Tyson School of Innovation at 2667 Hylton Road in Springdale. Tickets are $30. More information and ticket links at ozarkballettheater.com/thenutcracker.
Bella Vista
Holiday Dulcimer Music — With Gary McCarty at 2 p.m. Dec. 7; 1 p.m. Dec. 14; 11 a.m. Dec. 19; 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at Bella Vista Public Library, 1 Dickens Place, Bella Vista. bvpl.org
The Perfect Harmony Christmas
Concert — With a food drive for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at Highland Christian Church, 1500 Forest Hills Blvd.
Cookie Walk — Guests may choose from thousands of homemade cookies baked by Highlands United Methodist Church volunteers from 8:30-11 a.m. Dec. 3. The annual cookie walk includes a Sweet Shoppe with coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls, sticky buns and muffins, soups-to-go and holiday crafts. Highlands United Methodist Church, 371 Glasgow Road. $12 per decorated cookie tin.
Bentonville
The Rink at Lawrence Plaza — Open through February, a 7,000-squarefoot ice skating rink at 214 N.E. A
St. $7 per skating session including skate rental. Ice skating lessons are available through Bentonville Parks and Recreation. See bentonvillear. com/1375/Ice-Skating-Lessons for more information.
Bentonville Christmas Parade
— 6 p.m. Dec. 10 in downtown Bentonville. This year’s theme is “Colors of the Season.” Find out more about the parade and the route at downtownbentonville.org.
“The Nutcracker” — The classic ballet is presented by Northwest Arkansas Ballet at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 1 & 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville. Tickets are $25-$35 at nwaballet.com/the-nutcracker.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” — The Herdman kids, probably the most inventively awful kids in history, star in a church Christmas pageant. On stage Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17 at Trike Theatre, 902 S.W. Second St. Tickets $15 at triketheatre.org.
Eureka Springs
Holiday Window Decorating Contest — Vote for the best shop window in downtown Eureka Springs at christmasineureka.com/holidaywindow-decorating-contest. Winner