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Go Downtown Rogers, an association of businesses in Downtown Rogers, hosts the 2nd Annual Holidays on the Bricks (HOTB) weekend Friday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 3. HOTB consists of several festive events taking place throughout the downtown area to encourage people to shop, eat and enjoy the holiday atmosphere while raising money and collecting toys for the Arkansas Children’s Foundation. Weekend activities kick off with the Annual Rogers Christmas Parade surrounded by a plethora of other family friendly activities. Among the attractions are: a free hot cocoa stand, strolling Christmas carolers, holiday lights and decorated windows, a dance performance, live music, collection boxes for Arkansas Children’s Foundation, Sips on the Bricks cocktail tasting, the Wine Cheese and More celebration, and two prize drawings-one for a $100 gift basket and a downtown gift basket giveaway valued at more than $1,200.
A Hollywood Christmas is the theme for the annual Rogers Christmas Parade presented by Main Street Rogers. Mayor Greg Hines will host the opening ceremony to kick off the parade of bands, floats and, of course, Santa. The parade begins at Frisco Park Stage at 1st and Elm Streets on Friday, December 1 beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday is packed with a multitude of events including Cocoa in the Park where patrons can get free hot chocolate and candy canes at the beautifully decorated Centennial Park on 1st Street. There will be local school, community, and church choirs singing holiday songs up and down the streets spreading holiday cheer. Ballet Westside Dance Studio will be performing a Christmas program at the Frisco Stage at 1 p.m. featuring more than thirty performers.
Downtown businesses are also focusing on giving back to the community this year. Over a dozen businesses are participating in a toy and donation drive to raise money for the Arkansas Children’s Foundation benefiting the new Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest. Sips on the Bricks, the largest of the HOTB mini events, is back again this year and also raising funds for the ACF. “We have such fun with all the HOTB events, but it’s really about our community,” says The Rusty Chair owner, Julie Loose. “It’s a great feeling to know that we will be directly helping the new children’s hospital in our area.”
Sips on the Bricks takes place Saturday, Dec. 2 from 5 – 8 p.m. and is a holiday competition among businesses in downtown Rogers. A people’s choice vote determines which business created the most unique, festive, best-tasting holiday drink. A suggested donation of $5 allows patrons to receive a Sips on the Bricks card. The cards are available from each participating location in advance or the evening of the event. Cardholders may visit each business location throughout Downtown Rogers to taste test their sips and cast a vote for their favorite overall holiday sip. The winning business will be announced the following day and every participating individual will earn a chance to win a $100 gift basket. “It is a unique activity that a big group of friends can come do that isn’t your typical Saturday night,” says Melissa Turpin, owner of Honeycomb Kitchen Shop. “All the businesses really get into it and want to win, but at the end of the day we all know it is for a good cause and we will be helping the young patients of Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest.”
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is adding to the holiday spirit along the Sips on the Bricks route with a pop-up musical performance at Centennial Park on South First Street in Downtown Rogers. Groove to the jazzy sounds of Henry Trejo, an educator for Crystal Bridges and a musician performing on a Rhodes Mark I Electric Piano. Trejo will play a variety of Jazz or Christmas music by request and let passersby take a turn playing the piano! Crystal Bridges is celebrating the holiday season with their temporary exhibition, Stuart Davis: In Full Swing. Inspired by mid-century piano jazz, Davis listened to music as he painted. Now, the museum is taking its Rhodes keyboard on the road, bringing Davis’s favorite style of tunes to you. Learn more through the link below and follow #CBStuartDavis on social media for future locations. https://crystalbridges.org/exhibitions/stuart-davis-in-full-swing/
Saturday evening is wrapped up at the Rogers Experimental House, 121 W Walnut, with the Wine, Cheese & More party from 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets are $15, but participants in Sips on the Bricks may attend for just $10 when they turn in their cards with their vote for favorite beverage. This event will feature tastings of cheeses from White River Creamery as well as samplings of gourmet bread from Sara Adams. Both Ozark Beer Company and Bentonville Brewing Company will be available along with wine from Diamond Head. Live music will be performed by Will Brand.
Sunday, December 3 there are holiday open houses throughout downtown and merchants will be opening their doors for extra shopping hours, unique gifts, great deals. One lucky shopper will win the Downtown Gift Basket Giveaway valued at over $1,200. Shoppers may enter the drawing now through December 3 at all participating merchants and view the prize package on display in the front window of The Urban Tub. products and gift certificates donated downtown businesses. One lucky person will get to take home this holiday season. The drawing will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. and you can sign up at any of the Sips on the Bricks participating merchants now through Dec. 3.
This event is presented by Go Downtown Rogers. www.godowntownrogers.com
https://www.facebook.com/godowntownrogers/
https://www.facebook.com/events/129562821096646/
Sips on the Bricks card holders may pick up a card for a $5 suggested donation at any participating business and sample the drinks in any order from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 2. The cards include a map of the route, a people choice award option and the option to be included in a drawing for a $100 gift basket. Participating businesses include:
Honeycomb Kitchen Shop
Valere Rene Handbags
Gateway Mortgage
Golden’s Designer Jewelry
Brick Street Hemp and Glass
The Urban Tub
The Dotted Pig Christmas Shop
The Rusty Chair
Dandy Roll
Wisteria Lane
The Dotted Pig
The Gathering
Alexander Baking Co.
Woof & Wander
Second Elm
LAST STOP Rogers Experimental House to cast votes for the favorite cocktail. Votes entitle the participant to be entered to win a gift basket valued at more than $1,000. The Wine Cheese and More party is also taking place at the Rogers Experimental House.
Festive Drink Specials are offered at the following locations:
Cooking Studio of Downtown Rogers-Sugar Plum Cider, $1
Club Frisco-Holiday Shooter, $2
Hapa’s Hawaiian Bar & Grill, Mele Kalikimachata Cocktail, $4
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