Christmas Festival in Mena

Cities and towns across Arkansas are scheduled to host official lighting ceremonies, parades and more as part of the Trail of Holiday Lights.

Mena’s Christmas Festival is part of the celebration. The festival is set for this Friday, December 5, and begins at 4 p.m. in the Historic Armory downtown. The festival will include live Christmas music, kid’s activities like face painting and a jump house, pictures with Santa and more. After that, a Christmas parade is set to take place starting at 5 p.m. downtown. The theme of the parade is “Christmas in the Ouachitas”.  Following the parade, there will be a Christmas concert in Janssen Park by Lana Gail and Gail Force. After this, there will be fireworks and the official lighting ceremony of the park.  Both Santa and the Holiday Hog Mascot (who will visit several sites on the Trail of Holiday Lights, serving as parade grand marshal and posing for photos) are scheduled to be on site too.

Mena is located at the foothills of Rich Mountain ( 2,681 feet)- the second tallest mountain in the state. The town is home to the scenic Talimena Scenic Drive, a 54-mile byway that travels the crests of Rich and Winding Stair mountains between Mena and Talihina, Oklahoma. Thirteen miles northwest of town is Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The byway and park provide expansive views of the Ouachita Mountains. The Mena Depot in town greets visitors with history exhibits and railroad memorabilia.

Speaking of the depot, on December 13 the Kansas City Southern ( KSC) Holiday Express Train will be rolling through there. Plans are for the train to arrive at 4 p.m. The Holiday Express is a six-car train that brings Santa and his elves to communities throughout the U.S. The train has six lighted cars with different themes. For more details call 479-394-8355 or check out visitmena.com.