The Benton Christmas on the Square Festival is sure to bring out the child in everyone.
With new attractions and hands-on demonstrations, the thirteenth annual event is going to please the young and the young at heart. Dawn Bushnell, festival coordinator, said they decided to go all out this year to keep the crowds in Benton longer.
“We decided this year to take our money and focus on the kids,” Bushnell said. “Hopefully people will come and spend the day with us.”
Benton Christmas on the Square is an open-air festival that provides fun, family oriented activities in a community setting. Festivities will kick-off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, with an appearance by Miss Benton, Alyson Humphrey, and a children's fun run, a new event to the festival.
Other new attractions include a large tent with four rotating shows from Sci-Port Discovery Center with free admission, the Bossier Arts Council will have Christmas ornaments for children to decorate and there will be a rock climbing wall added to the festival's inflatable area. Bushnell said they have also added archery and BB gun demonstrations, both hands-on for the children.
“These are just a few of the things we've added new to the festival on top of our yearly events,” Bushnell said. “We're trying to make it fun for kids all day long.”
There will also be art contest judging throughout the day as well as cookie and candy decorating contests. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be set up for photos and there will be arts, crafts and food vendors set up around the Heritage Village Square in downtown Benton.
Santa's little red wagon parade will roll through at noon followed by the Benton Rotary Club's Christmas parade at 3 p.m. From the shopping to the food and new activities, Bushnell said this year's Benton Christmas on the Square will be a festival worth attending.
“We really went all out this year,” Bushnell said. “Everything is about the kids.”
Admission and parking are free and a shuttle service will be available from the Benton Courthouse.
Buses will begin running at 9:30 a.m. and the last bus will leave the festival site at 6 p.m.
The Benton Christmas on the Square festival and parade will take place rain or shine, its website says. To see the full schedule or a list of all activities, visit www.bentonchristmasonthesquare.com