Good cheer and festive spirits fill the air in town
Pea Ridge, like many small mid-western American towns, may have once been an agriculture community in which everyone knew everyone and most people were related to one another. That is no longer true, but it does not negate the sweet spirit and genial atmo
The festive atmosphere abounds in Pea Ridge as congenial camaraderie continues to welcome newcomers to town.
New snowflake light displays have been put on the street light poles. A new Christmas tree has been erected downtown. The Main Street Committee has begun a Festival of Lights and created a map showing where to go in town for light displays.
The Christmas Parade, held Saturday, was well attended! There were floats sponsored by business owners, churches and many others. Horses were bedecked with Christmas lights.
And Santa rode in on a big red firetruck instead of a sleigh.
Participants began lining up at 4 p.m. as requested, getting in place before dark and preparing for the trek to downtown. Cheerful youth and adults donned costumes, greeted one another, sipped hot drinks and put finishing touches on their floats.
The band members practiced their selection under the direction of Heather Thompson, band director.
And, all along North Curtis Avenue, people pared, set up chairs and visited while waiting for the parade to start.
Downtown, a stage was in place and streets were barricaded.
Many city employees include police officers worked to help maintain peace and order and provide a safe environment for the parade.
The hundreds of people waiting and watching represented the city and the new face of Pea Ridge — old and young, natives and newcomers, retired and business people.
As the city population has grown, as farms have been replaced by subdivisions, the face of Pea Ridge has changed. But, it does not appear that the heart has changed. People visited, smiled, gave high fives and shook hands, meeting new friends and cherishing old friends.
Pea Ridge, like many small mid-western American towns, may have once been an agriculture community in which everyone knew everyone and most people were related to one another. That is no longer true, but it does not negate the sweet spirit and genial atmosphere that pervades the community.
Several people set up booths hosting a holiday market downtown selling items before the parade began.
It’s said Christmas is a time of good cheer.
In Pea Ridge, that was evident among the many hundreds of people participating in the parade and lighting ceremony Saturday night.
Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. And, may you continue to enjoy the friendliness and kindness of small town Americana here in Pea Ridge, Ark., no matter how much it grows.
Remember, to shop locally as much as you can!
Several of the area churches offer Christmas Eve services. Check out the schedules on page 2A in the church news section.
Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas for five years. She has nine grown children, six sonsin-law, one daughter-in-law and 16 grandchildren. The opinions expressed are those of the author. She can be reached at abeard@nwaonline.com.