Written by Stacy Roibal and Emma Jones // Photo by Macy Cox
Members of the Searcy community have been coming together to put on this year’s Holiday of Lights to celebrate the Christmas season. Light displays have been set up in public spaces around town, and all sorts of festivities and events are taking place throughout the month of December.
The season was kicked off with a lighting ceremony at Berryhill Park Nov. 22. The Harding lighting ceremony is also included as part of the event, as well as light displays at Spring Park, Berry Hill Park, Yancey Park, the Black House and Smyrna Church, according to the official Holiday of Lights website.
Lots of Christmas events have been planned throughout the month of December to continue the celebrations. An ice skating rink opened in Spring Park on Dec. 1 that will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday through the rest of the month from 5 – 10 p.m. for $5 a person. Holiday pop-up shops featuring local vendors will also be happening throughout December, with one happening today at VanHook Art from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today also marks the start of Searcy First Assembly of God’s annual drive-thru Living Nativity, which will be held Dec. 2-4, 7 and 9-11. Times can be found on the Holiday of Lights website.
“The Christmas story comes alive as we transform the outside of the church to reflect the hustle and bustle of Bethlehem as it would have appeared in biblical times,” a Facebook post from the Searcy First Assembly of God said.
One of the largest events happening this month is the annual Jolly Jubilee, which is being held this Saturday in Downtown Searcy. The main event will be the second annual world championship chocolate gravy cook-off.
“For $5, you get to sample every entry and vote for your favorite,” Kristi Thurmon, committee chair for Searcy Holiday of Lights, said. “There are also tons of events for kids, and my favorite part is when Santa goes on the balcony of the White County Courthouse to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.’ It’s a magical moment.”
The Jolly Jubilee will also feature a craft fair, petting zoo, parade and more.
Senior Jaxon Nash, who has been interning with Main Street Searcy this semester, said Holiday of Lights has its own board of volunteers, with whom Main Street Searcy works with in order to plan holiday events like these.
“I believe that bringing the community together for events and holidays is crucial in building up the strength of one’s communal spirit,” Nash said. “Searcy is full of families and good people. If we can plan events like these and get those people together, there is a unique feeling and sense of pride that comes from seeing so many happy faces in one place.”
