BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Hundreds of Arkansans filled the Bentonville Square Saturday night on Nov. 18, to see the annual Christmas lights.
"We're here for team bonding ... we've been caroling all night," said a few soccer players hailing all the way from Texas feeling the Christmas spirit before their soccer game tomorrow.
Spectators were offered free hot chocolate as they browsed through the bright lights. Vendors offered chocolates, Oreos, and traditional funnel cakes and hot dogs as they listened to Christmas music.
The Lighting of the Square was presented by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, with support from First National Bank of NWA and OREO. Hot chocolate and chocolate bars were handed out along with free Oreos, and the First National Bank of NWA hosted photos with Santa on his sleigh.
They also had a live band singing Christmas hits and an ice skating show just a block away at Lawrence Plaza ice skating rink.
This year, Downtown Bentonville, Incorporated added a laser light show and local businesses competed in a holiday window contest.
Organizers say this is the best time of the year for a reason.
"It's time for the holidays and there's nothing like a beautiful landscape in the greatest city in the world to come out and experience the holidays, flipping that switch, and literally knowing the season is here," says Bentonville communications director Aaron Nolan.
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