A Very Merry Maumelle is ambitious and fitting for the season, overloaded with good, free things to do.
The new three weekend event starts this Saturday at Lake Willastein and will continue over the next two Saturdays, concluding on Dec. 16. There’s also a holiday open house this Friday starting at noon along the start of a holiday display competition and a drive to stock the community pantry. More details are below.
In between, there’s a lot. Plus, Santa!
There’s also been some changes as Lake Willastein will serve as host of the Tree Lighting this Saturday and the movie night that concludes A Very Merry Maumelle on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The Mistletoe Market, on Saturday, Dec. 9 will now be held at Center on the Lake.
So no worries about inclement weather there.
Christine Gronwald, who serves on the Maumelle City Council, is the Holiday Committee chair while Ashley Norris with Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Markeis the Co-Chair.
Gronwald answered some questions from ArkansasNewsroom.com and they have been lightly edited, formatted for publication and are below.
>> How did the idea of doing three weekends come together and is it modeled on another city?
In April of this year, there was an initial gathering of Maumelle residents who were interested in serving on the Holiday Committee. Several months later the committee met to begin brainstorming ideas that would include and delight all Maumelle residents with a festive, holiday event. Following the first full committee meeting in September, it was quickly realized there could not be just one event. The committee then decided to split the activities into the first three Saturdays of December which would give the residents of Maumelle more flexibility to attend any or all of the festivities. The committee pulled inspiration from Jacksonville, Conway and Sherwood specifically, but certainly researched other ideas from cities not only in Arkansas but around the country.
>> How will the events work in case of inclement weather? In that case, how will you get the word out?
The committee was able to secure the Center on the Lake for the Mistletoe Market so all activities on the 9th will be indoors. The events [this Saturday] and Dec. 16 will be held at Lake Willastein. In case of inclement weather, depending on its severity, the committee will decide whether to cancel the event. We do not expect that to happen, but if it does, we will let everyone know via The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce and The City of Maumelle Facebook pages.
>> How many vendors are participating in the market and what would an attendee expect?
The committee is very proud to be hosting 33 vendors for the inaugural year for Maumelle Mistletoe Market. There will be five food trucks with food varieties including hot dogs, tacos, nachos, and more! The first 25 shoppers to arrive at the event on December 9th will receive a special event swag bag.
>> What’s the movie on the last night?
Dec. 16 will be the final night of festivities with a showing of Grinch: the cartoon movie: with a list as long as Santa’s full of family friendly activities to enjoy. The Summit Church is the event sponsor and has arranged to have Buddy the Elf and Santa there for photos along with a train ride for tots, popcorn, hot chocolate, face painting.
Saturday, Dec. 2
Maumelle Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This will be the Tree Lighting event to kick off the holiday festivities. Following the annual Christmas parade, beginning around 6 p.m., Mayor Caleb Norris will announce the award winners of the parade participants. Guests will then enjoy the twinkling lights reflecting near the lake and live entertainment as Maumelle school choirs from Pine Forest Elementary, Maumelle Charter Enrichment Program, Oak Grove Elementary and Maumelle High School Choir. sing Christmas carols.
There will be a ceremonial lighting of the tree followed by a brief fireworks show. Santa is scheduled to make an appearance and has graciously agreed to pose for photos. Maumelle residents will also be charmed by holiday bell ringers to celebrate the holiday season.
To close the evening, there will be a community Christmas carol sing-along!
Saturday, Dec. 9
Maumelle Mistletoe Market 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All the beautiful lights and the Maumelle Christmas tree will remain in place throughout the month of December for the merriment of our Maumelle residents. The first 25 shoppers to arrive for the Mistletoe Market will receive a swag bag with fun treasures donated by area businesses including the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce.
Holiday music will play in the background as patrons visit 30 vendor booths that include categories such as; candles and room spray, kitchen gadgets, makeup and skin care products, handmade gifts, home decor, food items, and so much more. Shoppers can also commemorate the evening by taking a photo with our Photo 360 that takes a picture as it moves around its subject. Owner of Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, Ashley Norris, is providing her equipment and time to offer this extra special opportunity to event attendees.
As shoppers work up an appetite, they can choose from five food trucks that will provide BBQ, tacos, hot dogs and nachos among other items. Guests will be given a raffle ticket upon entry where they can enter to win door prizes given throughout the evening. While this event is open to anyone in Maumelle, we expect many will enjoy making this a “Girls Night Out” while they check everyone off their Christmas list.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Holiday Movie in the Park sponsored by The Summit Church 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Maumelle residents will come together to watch the cartoon movie version of The Grinch on a large screen as they enjoy the lake and holiday decorations surrounding them.
The Summit Church has made arrangements for an array of holiday activities including; a train ride for tots, popcorn station, face painting booth, coffee food truck, hot chocolate, and an inflatable snow globe. Not to mention Buddy the Elf and Santa will be there. Summit Church is among the sponsors of “A Very Merry Maumelle” holiday events.
Committee Members:
Christine Gronwald: Maumelle City Councilperson, Holiday Committee Chair
Ashley Norris: Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, Holiday Committee Co-Chair
Kellie Wall: Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, CEO
Kendria Parker: Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce,
Lisa Holloway Sugg: Crye-Leike of Maumelle, Realtor
Courtney Dunn: City of Maumelle, Economic Developer
A Very Merry Maumelle
A Very Merry Maumelle
A Very Merry Maumelle
A Very Merry Maumelle is ambitious and fitting for the season, overloaded with good, free things to do.
The new three weekend event starts this Saturday at Lake Willastein and will continue over the next two Saturdays, concluding on Dec. 16. There’s also a holiday open house this Friday starting at noon along the start of a holiday display competition and a drive to stock the community pantry. More details are below.
In between, there’s a lot. Plus, Santa!
There’s also been some changes as Lake Willastein will serve as host of the Tree Lighting this Saturday and the movie night that concludes A Very Merry Maumelle on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The Mistletoe Market, on Saturday, Dec. 9 will now be held at Center on the Lake.
So no worries about inclement weather there.
Christine Gronwald, who serves on the Maumelle City Council, is the Holiday Committee chair while Ashley Norris with Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Markeis the Co-Chair.
Gronwald answered some questions from ArkansasNewsroom.com and they have been lightly edited, formatted for publication and are below.
>> How did the idea of doing three weekends come together and is it modeled on another city?
In April of this year, there was an initial gathering of Maumelle residents who were interested in serving on the Holiday Committee. Several months later the committee met to begin brainstorming ideas that would include and delight all Maumelle residents with a festive, holiday event. Following the first full committee meeting in September, it was quickly realized there could not be just one event. The committee then decided to split the activities into the first three Saturdays of December which would give the residents of Maumelle more flexibility to attend any or all of the festivities. The committee pulled inspiration from Jacksonville, Conway and Sherwood specifically, but certainly researched other ideas from cities not only in Arkansas but around the country.
>> How will the events work in case of inclement weather? In that case, how will you get the word out?
The committee was able to secure the Center on the Lake for the Mistletoe Market so all activities on the 9th will be indoors. The events [this Saturday] and Dec. 16 will be held at Lake Willastein. In case of inclement weather, depending on its severity, the committee will decide whether to cancel the event. We do not expect that to happen, but if it does, we will let everyone know via The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce and The City of Maumelle Facebook pages.
>> How many vendors are participating in the market and what would an attendee expect?
The committee is very proud to be hosting 33 vendors for the inaugural year for Maumelle Mistletoe Market. There will be five food trucks with food varieties including hot dogs, tacos, nachos, and more! The first 25 shoppers to arrive at the event on December 9th will receive a special event swag bag.
>> What’s the movie on the last night?
Dec. 16 will be the final night of festivities with a showing of Grinch: the cartoon movie: with a list as long as Santa’s full of family friendly activities to enjoy. The Summit Church is the event sponsor and has arranged to have Buddy the Elf and Santa there for photos along with a train ride for tots, popcorn, hot chocolate, face painting.
Saturday, Dec. 2
Maumelle Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This will be the Tree Lighting event to kick off the holiday festivities. Following the annual Christmas parade, beginning around 6 p.m., Mayor Caleb Norris will announce the award winners of the parade participants. Guests will then enjoy the twinkling lights reflecting near the lake and live entertainment as Maumelle school choirs from Pine Forest Elementary, Maumelle Charter Enrichment Program, Oak Grove Elementary and Maumelle High School Choir. sing Christmas carols.
There will be a ceremonial lighting of the tree followed by a brief fireworks show. Santa is scheduled to make an appearance and has graciously agreed to pose for photos. Maumelle residents will also be charmed by holiday bell ringers to celebrate the holiday season.
To close the evening, there will be a community Christmas carol sing-along!
Saturday, Dec. 9
Maumelle Mistletoe Market 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All the beautiful lights and the Maumelle Christmas tree will remain in place throughout the month of December for the merriment of our Maumelle residents. The first 25 shoppers to arrive for the Mistletoe Market will receive a swag bag with fun treasures donated by area businesses including the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce.
Holiday music will play in the background as patrons visit 30 vendor booths that include categories such as; candles and room spray, kitchen gadgets, makeup and skin care products, handmade gifts, home decor, food items, and so much more. Shoppers can also commemorate the evening by taking a photo with our Photo 360 that takes a picture as it moves around its subject. Owner of Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, Ashley Norris, is providing her equipment and time to offer this extra special opportunity to event attendees.
As shoppers work up an appetite, they can choose from five food trucks that will provide BBQ, tacos, hot dogs and nachos among other items. Guests will be given a raffle ticket upon entry where they can enter to win door prizes given throughout the evening. While this event is open to anyone in Maumelle, we expect many will enjoy making this a “Girls Night Out” while they check everyone off their Christmas list.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Holiday Movie in the Park sponsored by The Summit Church 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Maumelle residents will come together to watch the cartoon movie version of The Grinch on a large screen as they enjoy the lake and holiday decorations surrounding them.
The Summit Church has made arrangements for an array of holiday activities including; a train ride for tots, popcorn station, face painting booth, coffee food truck, hot chocolate, and an inflatable snow globe. Not to mention Buddy the Elf and Santa will be there. Summit Church is among the sponsors of “A Very Merry Maumelle” holiday events.
Committee Members:
Christine Gronwald: Maumelle City Councilperson, Holiday Committee Chair
Ashley Norris: Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, Holiday Committee Co-Chair
Kellie Wall: Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, CEO
Kendria Parker: Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce,
Lisa Holloway Sugg: Crye-Leike of Maumelle, Realtor
Courtney Dunn: City of Maumelle, Economic Developer
Deb Roush: City of Maumelle, Chief of Staff
Marshall West: The Summit Church of Little Rock
Cassie Henry-Saorrono: Maumelle resident
Ashley Henry-Saorrono: Maumelle resident
Mary Gardner: Benefit Concepts
Donna Brown: John Wright Construction
Heather Munson: Maumelle resident
Holiday Sponsors:
City of Maumelle
Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce
John Wright Construction
The Summit Church
Baptist Health URGENT Care of Maumelle
Mistletoe Sponsors:
John Wright Construction
Majestic Pointe
Tree Sponsors:
Lisa Sugg, Crye-Leike Realtor
Benefit Concepts of Arkansas
Brock Custom Homes
Metro Appliances & More
The Quarters
The Country Club of Arkansas
The Menking Family Fund
Munson Family
Skintastic Esthetics
Maumelle Massage Clinic
John & Marilyn Wright
Sticky Logistics
Lions Club of Maumelle
Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market
Austen Michaels Custom Interiors
Sticky Logistics
In-Kind Sponsors:
Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market
Lisa Sugg, Crye-Leike Realtor
The Menking Family Fund
Deaton Fireworks
Maumelle Florist & Every Blooming Thing