RISON - The Pioneer Village’s annual Christmas in the Village Festival will take place this Saturday, Dec. 7, at the historic village property in Rison.
Organizers are expecting a great turnout to visit Santa for breakfast, build gingerbread houses and play a special game of bingo.
“We’re expecting quite a few vendors as well for the Holiday Market,” said Sharon Gray with the Village.
Cleveland County Cares organizer Melinda McKnight is also preparing for a record-setting Christmas bingo game.
“We’ve got more prizes than ever,” she said.
The day will include the following activities:
Holiday Market
The Christmas Village Market will host vendors from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors expected include Christmas decor, crafts, candy, baked goods and more.
“We’ve got embroidered items, decorations and more,” Gray said.
Rather than pre-registering vendors, Gray is accepting vendors through the day of the market. There is a $25 fee for a 10x10-foot booth space.
For anyone interested in being a vendor, contact Sharon Gray at (870) 692-3130 to confirm availability.
Breakfast with Santa
The festival will kick off at 8 a.m. with Breakfast with Santa through 10 a.m.
There is a $5 charge for breakfast, which includes pancakes, sausage and juice.
Gingerbread Workshop & Contest
The Call in Cleveland County, a organization that supports foster children and adoption, and the Cleveland County Herald will once again be sponsoring the Christmas in the Village Gingerbread House decoration workshop and contest from 10 to 11 a.m.
This years workshop and contest will include two divisions: ages 12 and under; and ages 13 to 18. Judging will take place at the conclusion of the workshop. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division: $40 for first place, $25 for second and $15 for third.
The cost for the workshop is $10 per family. Lisa Prescott, organizer of the workshop, asked that those interested in participating can text 4144 with the message “Clevelandgives” to pay.
Prescott also asked that those who plan to attend the workshop text the names of those participating to (870) 818-3040 to assure there will be enough houses.
Cleveland County Cares Christmas Bingo
Cleveland County Cares will host a special game of Christmas Bingo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until prizes run out.
McKnight said she has mistakenly told some people the games start at 12 noon, but assures those arriving at noon will still have plenty of chances for prizes.
“We have around 100 prizes ranging from games, homemade baked goods like pies, cakes, and handmade crafts to gift certificates from restaurants, gift cards from merchants and more.”
Christmas Bingo is open to all ages. There is a $1 charge per game. All proceeds go to the Cleveland County Care Fund to provide clothes and Christmas presents for local families in need.
Holiday Photos
Douglas Boultinghouse of Douglas B Design Graphic Design and Photography is providing holiday photo sessions from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
“When I initially announced these sessions, they started filling up quickly, so I’ve added on more time slots,” Boultinghouse said.
Sessions are $120 plus tax and include 10 digital photos. Each session is 15 minutes and is the perfect setting for families, kids, couples and more. Pets are welcome as well.
To book a session, call (870) 510-2433 or see Douglas B Design on Facebook. Preview images of the session can be viewed on Facebook as well.
“Currently there are only five slots left for photos,” he said.
A portion of each session fee will be donated to the Pioneer Village and Cleveland County Cares.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Toys will be collecting new, unwrapped toys, puzzles, games, tricycles and bicycles, monetary donations, and other items Saturday, December 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rison at the Christmas in the Village Festival.
All items collected will be donated to area youth through such ministries as Angel Tree, Big Brother & Sister Program, Casa Women’s Shelter, Cleveland County Cares, Cleveland & Lincoln County DHS, Highland Ministries, New Edinburg Community Center, Pine Bluff Boys and Girls Club, and Salvation Army.
The ultimate success of the 2024 Cleveland, Jefferson, and Lincoln County Toys for Tots Campaign depends on the support of the local communities and the generosity of individual people and corporate sponsors. Therefore, we encourage local businesses and individuals to donate. Because, every child deserves a little Christmas.
For more information on the 2024 Cleveland, Jefferson, and Lincoln County Toys for Tots Campaign or to donate go to: https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org/
Concessions
The Pioneer Village will sell hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch.
Drive-Thru Lights
In the days after the festival, the Village will also open its drive-thru light display on select nights beginning Thursday, Dec. 12 following Rison Shine’s Cleveland County Christmas Parade.
Additional dates are Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21.
The Dec. 20 date will coincide with The Village and Rison Shine’s Food Truck Friday event.