Living Windows and Santa in Calico Rock on Dec. 12

The windows of Calico Rock’s historic Main Street come alive this Saturday, Dec. 12 starting at 5:30 p.m. Various Christmas scenes are depicted during this Living Windows event sponsored by Calico Rock Museum. Then, Santa comes to town during the lighted Christmas parade, and stops to visit and take pictures with children at the fire station.

The parade departs from the museum at 7 p.m. and travels along Main Street, turning onto Ark. 56 and ending at the Calico Rock Fire Station. During the day, the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop will hold its Christmas Open House. Mitchell’s Park Street Pharmacy will host a Santa Saturday with refreshments and discounts on select merchandise. Local businesses will offer holiday gifts and specials. 

In addition to the holiday season, Calico Rock’s Main Street hosts thousands of visitors each year. Brick and stone buildings from the 1920s flank the street for a few blocks. They are home to antique stores, a museum and various stores. Additional shopping is available in more modern parts of town.

Calico Rock Museum houses collections and displays exhibits beginning with the American Indian culture to about 1967 that are historically and culturally significant to the town and area. It’s located in the historic Bank of Calico Rock building.

The museum not only preserves the past, it also features handmade works of area artists. About 28 artists sale their items – pottery, furniture, leather, organic home products, woodworking, jewelry, and more – in the museum.

Just steps away from this historic but thriving town center, is another lifetime of the town preserved. Calico Rock’s Ghost Town include a pool hall/tavern, a barber shop, a theater, a café, a lumberyard, the telephone exchange, a cotton gin, a funeral parlor, and an electric company. The tour contains more than 20 different buildings and other structures. 

Lodging runs the gamut from motels on Main Street to motels and cabins on or overlooking the river. Hiking and biking trails are located in parks in the middle of town and fishing is hot here.

The White River is known as an excellent trout fishery. Numerous outfitters serve the area, offering guided fishing trips or boat rentals.

Calico Rock is served by Arkansas State Highways 5 and 56, both pleasingly scenic.