Secretary Daniels Announces 2008 Capitol Holiday Festivities
Friday, Dec 5, 2008
The 23-foot Leyland Cypress from St. Francis County arrived on December 3.
70th Annual Capitol Lighting Ceremony slated for Dec.6
LITTLE ROCK, AR—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 70th annual State Capitol Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Saturday, December 6.
On Wednesday morning, a 23-foot Leyland Cypress from Tom’s Christmas Tree Farm in St. Francis County 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.
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. Located on the north side of the Capitol’s main entrance, Arkansas’s official Christmas tree, which is also known as the George Jernigan tree for the Secretary of State who planted the Eastern Red Cedar in 1976, will simultaneously be illuminated with 45,000 white lights. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.
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 Chorus. 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 2008 State Capitol ornament features the bronze doors under the Arkansas Capitol’s east portico which have served as the building’s signature entrance since 1911. The doors were designed by architect Cass Gilbert and fabricated by the famed Tiffany Studios of New York. Replicating in fine detail the most distinctive and beautiful design elements of the Arkansas State Capitol, the series of collectible ornaments are available for purchase online and in the Capitol Gift Shop.
Dolls of Decembers Past
An affectionate look back at dolls–turned-prize-collectables, the State Capitol’s 2008 holiday exhibit features antique dolls from the collection of the Jefferson County Historical Museum in Pine Bluff. These toys have entertained and inspired the imaginations of children since becoming commercially-available in the mid-19th century.
Highlights of the exhibit include a “Bye-Lo” baby doll, whose carefully painted skin tones and glass eyes closely resemble a newborn, and an early example of the famous “Kewpie” doll, modeled on the illustrations of American artist Rose O’Neill that first appeared in 1909. The exhibit will also feature the distinctive paper dolls created and marketed by Arkansas artist Kim Brecklein. "Dolls of Decembers Past" will be on view in the Capitol’s first floor galleries from December 5 through January 2.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Secretary Daniels will host the Annual Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance on Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 pm in the second floor rotunda of the Capitol. The public is invited to attend this special ceremony commemorating those who have served our country in times of war and reminding Arkansans to hope for peace. Blue lights above the bronze doors of the Capitol spell out “Peace” in tribute to our veterans.
Sounds of the Season
Nearly 150 school choirs and dance troupes will perform in the Capitol rotunda from December 8 through December 19 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 holiday webpage at
www.sos.ar.gov/holidays2008.
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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
