SMACKOVER — Smackover is expanding its holiday events with the first ever “Christmas on Broadway,” which is set for 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Dec. 2.
Organizers are pairing the event with its annual Downtown Christmas Celebration, which includes the lighting ceremony for the town Christmas tree and of Eddie’s Cross, an 82-year-old Smackover tradition that will be narrated by Mayor Bobby Neal.
The Christmas celebration will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 in Kennedy Park on Broadway. Santa is also expected to make an appearance.
After visitors witness the lighting of the town’s holiday lights, local merchants are inviting them to continue celebrating the holiday season and checking off their gift lists by experiencing the Christmas spirit in a small-town setting.
For years, Smackover merchants have hosted a Christmas open house, but the event has grown and taken on additional meaning, aimed at showing visitors that small towns can offer lots of unique shopping opportunities.
Organizers based the catchy title of the event on Broadway Street, Smackover’s main thoroughfare and central business district.
Brick and mortar stores will take part in the event, and online merchants have been invited to set up pop-up shops along Broadway.
Participating merchants will include The Classic Dress Shop, Willow Flower and Gift Shop, The Cutting Edge Sign Shop and more.
Merchants will be serving refreshments, holding drawings for prizes that will include one-of-a-kind gifts and gift certificates, and offering specials.
Food will also be an integral part of the day, with local restaurants and food vendors/trucks, including Pupp’s BBQ and the Postmasters Grill Crusin’ Kitchen of Camden, selling mouth-watering treats.
Organizers hope to add “Christmas on Broadway” to the list of annual holiday events for Smackover.
“We want people to feel welcome in our little town and see what we have to offer, and we feel ‘Christmas on Broadway’ is a good place to start,” said Kelly Watts, office manager of the Smackover Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call 870-725-3521 or visit the Facebook pages of the Smackover Chamber or participating merchants.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.