Piggott Chamber of Commerce Christmas Fest and parade set

The front gate of the Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center, decorated for the upcoming holiday season. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

The city will come to life with the sights and sounds of the holiday season this Saturday, Dec. 5, with the arrival of the annual Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Fest. The festival will be going on from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday around the Piggott court square. The day's events also will include the annual Christmas parade that afternoon.

The offerings this year includes live entertainment featuring a variety of local artists, food, crafts and gifts, a bounce castle, prize drawings throughout the afternoon and a visit from Santa Claus. Santa will be in his house on the northeast corner of the square throughout the afternoon. Photos with Santa won't be sold this year, but everyone is invited to bring their cameras and take pictures of their little ones visiting with St. Nick.

Organizers said there is no charge to register for the prize drawings, but persons must be present to win. A variety of gifts will be given away for both boys and girls in several age groups. Drawings also will be held for gift certificates ranging in value from $10 to $50 from several merchants. There also will be a 50/50 drawing that afternoon, and persons do not have to be present to win that drawing.

Thanks to the generosity of Piggott State Bank, one boy's and one girl's bicycle will be given away at the conclusion of this year's festival.

One of the highlights of the event begins at 5:30 p.m. as the annual Piggott Christmas Parade will get underway. As usual, the parade route will originate at Piggott Elementary School and will make its way to the First Baptist Church along Main Street.

Those interested in taking part in the parade may call Monte Howell at 598-7734 for more information.

The Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring the annual window decorating contest for local businesses again this year. Judging will be conducted during the Christmas Fest and certificates will be awarded for the top three entries.

Another returning favorite this year is the Super Saver Coupon Book, which offers discounts at 23 local businesses. The books are on sale for $5 each at the chamber office in the depot, Piggott Florist, The Treasure Chest, Dragonfly Antiques, Feather Your Nest, Evans Jewelry, Payless Rentals and Sugar Creek Kids.

Those wanting more information on the activities scheduled for this year's Christmas Fest, may call the Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce office at 870-598-3167.