SECRETARY DANIELS ANNOUNCES CAPITOL HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES
Friday, Nov 30, 2007
Annual Capitol Lighting Ceremony slated for Dec. 1st
(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.)—The last of the lights are strung, colorful garlands are draped, and the county ornaments are hung on the boughs of the Capitol Christmas tree—just in time for the 69th annual State Capitol Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Saturday, December 1st.
On November 27th, a 19-foot Eastern Red Cedar donated by Tracy and Donna Bemis of Wrightsville arrived at the steps of the State Capitol. The tree has since been trimmed with hand-painted globe ornaments each depicting a unique scene from the state’s 75 counties.
Secretary of State Charlie Daniels is hosting the lighting ceremony, which kicks off a month of festivities at the State Capitol designed to highlight the spirit of the season. The ceremony will take place on the front steps of the Capitol around 5:30 p.m. immediately following Little Rock’s Big Jingle Jubilee Downtown Holiday Parade, which begins at 3:30 p.m. and ends at the State Capitol.
Festivities on the Capitol grounds begin at 4:00 pm with children’s crafts and refreshments. At the ceremony, Secretary Daniels, with the help of Easter Seals representatives, will throw the switch on 300,000 white lights outlining the Capitol building and dome. The state’s official Christmas tree, also known as the George Jernigan tree after the Secretary of State who planted the Eastern Red Cedar in 1976 on the Capitol’s front lawn, will simultaneously be illuminated with 45,000 white lights. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display above the silhouette of the beautifully restored Capitol dome.
Afterward, visitors can enter a wonderland of wintry decorations on the first and second floors of the Capitol and enjoy performances by the Top of the Rock and Diamond State choruses. And, as always, Santa Claus will be on hand to visit with children of all ages.
Deck the Marble Halls
The Capitol building will hold special holiday hours from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends to allow visitors extra time to take in the sights and sounds of the season.
Visitors will find an assortment of holiday backdrops for family photographs, including a frosty bridge in the first floor rotunda and ribbon-lined marble staircases.
The 2007 State Capitol ornament features the Mitchell-Vance chandelier that hangs high in the rotunda. Earlier this year, Secretary Daniels gave original glass light diffusers from the Arkansas Capitol chandelier to be used in an identical fixture in Utah’s State Capitol. The chandelier is featured in this year’s ornament because of this gift, which symbolizes the spirit of the season. The collectible ornaments are now available for purchase online and in the Capitol Gift Shop.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: The Lure of Tiny Transportation
A special Capitol exhibit for older “kids” will be a peek back at the shop windows of the past. The Capitol’s first floor displays will feature a host of vintage transportation toys, collectibles and award-winning models crafted by local modelers. These scale planes, trains and automobiles, including a working miniature train set, will be on display December 1 through New Year’s Day.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Secretary of State Daniels will also host the Annual Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance on Friday, December 7th at 3:00 pm in the second floor rotunda of the Capitol. The public is invited to attend this special ceremony that reminds Arkansans to stay hopeful for peace. Blue lights above the bronze doors of the Capitol spell out “Peace” in tribute to our veterans.
Sounds of the Season
More than 150 school choirs and dance troupes will perform in the Capitol rotunda from December 3rd through December 14th on weekdays from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. For additional details on scheduled performances and other holiday events at the State Capitol, visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ar.gov/holidays2007.
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Contact: Natasha Naragon
Phone: (501) 683-1441
Email: natasha.naragon@sos.arkansas.gov
Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels
256 State Capitol Building
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (501) 682-1010
Website: www.sos.ar.gov
Email: arsos@sos.ar.gov
