Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.com
Thursday, November 4, 2021, Hope, Arkansas, The Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce has planned a full lineup of fun for the upcoming Christmas season.
As in years past, businesses will decorate their windows in the theme of the season. The 2021 theme is A Christmas Story. The chamber is encouraging all chamber member businesses throughout Hope and Hempstead County to enter the Window Décor Contest. Deadline to enter the contest is November 15. Judging will take place on November 17 & 18. Prizes are awarded for 1st – 3rd place.
Be the Light, a plan to add artificial trees with lights to all downtown light poles, will begin this year. The chamber is excited to announce that 42 light poles will have trees affixed to them that will add to the ever-expanding Christmas décor in downtown Hope. View the lights from November 18 through December 31.
2021 Christmas Open House offers two opportunities to celebrate and shop local. Thursday, November 18 from 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM, small businesses throughout town will open their doors for after-hours shopping, refreshments, door prizes and dining. The lineup for the Thursday’s Christmas Open House includes carriage rides, selfie stations, caroling, Hope Bucks Contest, Taekwondo Demonstration at 5:30 PM at the HUB, A Christmas Story (movie) shown from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM with Diamond Bank providing popcorn and water at the HUB, pop-ups shops, food tastings, book signings, Hope Public School District book giveaway and music plus much, much more!
The second day for Christmas Open House will take place on Saturday, November 20 from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM. This day includes an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, a second opportunity to win Hope Bucks, music, selfie stations, inflatables with ROC fun n’ games at the HUB, caroling, art show & sell and an extra-special visitor from Frozen.
“The chamber invites everyone to “follow” them on Facebook (Hope Chamber of Commerce) as the Christmas Open House full schedule, including all participating businesses, will soon be posted. We are looking forward to an exciting “shop & dine local” season,” stated Beckie Moore, chamber director.
The Chamber Community-Wide Christmas Parade will take place on Monday, December 6 with the start time being 6:00 PM. Entry forms are available for pick up at the chamber (201 S Main) or via email [email protected]. The theme “A Christmas Story” will continue as the chamber encourages walking groups, vintage cars, floats and bands to celebrate and decorate in the theme of the season. As always, Santa will be riding on a fire truck as he makes his first appearance of the year. As they have in the past, SWARK.Today will livestream the parade.
The chamber greatly appreciates the sponsors for all upcoming festivities!
Carriage Ride Sponsor: McDonalds
Saturday Christmas Open House Presenting Sponsors: Hempstead County Title & Kiwanis Club of Hope
Window Décor Contest Sponsor: First National Bank of Tom Bean
Hope Bucks Sponsor: SWARK.Today
Christmas Parade Presenting Sponsor: Farmers Bank & Trust