Bentonville, AR - After months of preparations the City of Bentonville is ready to flip the switch and bring Christmas cheer to the downtown square.  Saturday, November 18th, Downtown Bentonville Incorporated hosts The City of Bentonville’s Lighting of the Square.

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Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman will flip the switch to illuminate more than 30 miles of lights on the Bentonville Square at 6:00pm (no earlier, no later).  

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The family-friendly, free event welcomes everyone and is produced by the non-profit Downtown Bentonville Incorporated. The Lighting of the Square is presented by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, with support from First National Bank of NWA and OREO.

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Grab a coat and come early as the holiday festivities begin at 4pm.

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• Santa’s Workshop will start at 4pm.  There will be games, crafts, and all kinds of fun entertainment.
• First National Bank of NWA is hosting Photos with Santa from 5pm to 7pm.
• NEW THIS YEAR: The Merry & Bright Holiday Laser Light Show will be held from 5:20pm to 5:55pm.
• Mainstage entertainment begins at 4:30pm with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra.  APO will be on stage again from 6pm to 7pm.
• Local businesses will compete in a holiday window contest with winners revealed starting at 5pm.
• At 6:30pm an ice skating show will happen at the Lawrence Plaza ice rink.

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The event would not be possible without hard work and countless hours from the Bentonville Parks & Recreation department.  Roughly two dozen works have logged more than three thousand hours to prepare the lights.  

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Thanks to Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville, DBI is offering an accessible shuttle service for those with mobility challenges.  Handicap and accessible parking is available at the parking lot on the corner of 2nd Street and B Street, parking is courtesy of First Baptist Church Bentonville. An ADA shuttle will pick up from the parking lot, drop off inside the event, and provide a return trip to the accessible parking lot.

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With the construction in Downtown Bentonville, DBI recommends that guests arrive early.  Attached is a road closures map for the event.

This event is made possible by our wonderful community partners.  Thanks to Walmart, the Walton Family Foundation, Visit Bentonville, and the City of Bentonville and Bentonville Parks & Recreation.

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ABOUT DOWNTOWN BENTONVILLE INC.

Downtown Bentonville Inc. works to promote community and enhance the Downtown Bentonville experience for everyone.