RISON - Christmas events will continue this week with Santa's annual visit to the New Edinburg Community Center while the Pioneer Village at Rison will be hosting its drivethrough light display. Both events are scheduled for this Friday and Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, last Thursday's Cleveland County Christmas Parade in Rison turned out to be the largest in recent memory with more than 50 participants taking part. Rison Shine President Celeste Beatty said the parade was a tremendous success. She said members of the community development group called businesses and organizations to invite them to participate in the parade.
"We knew we were having more participants and floats in the parade this year, but we worried we might have more people in the parade than people watching it," she said. "But we were pleasantly surprised by the turnout." Beatty said when the Rison Shine members dressed as reindeer made their way through the parade with Santa, seeing all of the people filling both sides of the street for several blocks, was heartwarming.
"Rison Shine is thankful for the support this year and we look forward to bigger and even better parades in the years to come," she said.
New Edinburg Christmas with Santa
The New Edinburg Community Centers' 25th Annual Christmas with Santa will be this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each night. Refreshments will be provided by Re-New-ing Edinburg. Santa will greet the kids at the Santa Shack located on the property at 6590 Hwy. 8 in New Edinburg. Kids will be able to visit with Santa and receive a gift and candy from Santa. For more information call Melody Spears at (870) 510-6388.
Pioneer Village Drive-Through Lights
The Pioneer Village at Rison will debut its drive-through light display after the Cleveland County Christmas Parade on Thursday night.
The display will also be open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9; and on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16.
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