BY LEANN DILBECK –
With looming winter weather in the forecast, officials have been forced to postpone the much anticipated Mena Christmas Festival until December 13. The final decision was made just moments ago when the Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce and Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission met and determined the risk was too high. The Pulse, as of this post, has not been notified of any other cancellations or postponements.
The popular event is the result of a community that has collaborated together and grew a single event into an entire festival. It actually began with the Chamber’s Christmas Parade and after the passage of the Advertising and Promotion tax, a spectacular fireworks lighting display was added and it has only continued to snowball from there.
Beginning at the DeQueen Street Armory will be a bounce castle and super slide, Christmas ornament creation, holiday face painting, cotton candy, and photos with Santa. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered by Chameleon Arts, LLC and Maple Street will be “Spirit Avenue.”

The official lighting ceremony in Janssen Park will follow where float winners will be announced, Lana & the Gail Force will be performing LIVE and then the countdown to the fireworks display will begin with the finale of the lighting of Janssen Park.
The First United Methodist Church will be holding their annual Christmas open house and live nativity scene on the corner of 9th and Port Arthur.
Friday night will also be the first night of the 3-day Community Nativity Festival held in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church.
The Northside Shopping Center will host their annual Shop & Stroll event with merchants offering special sales and promotions.
For more information on the weekend’s activities, call the Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission at 479-394-8355 or VisitMena.com.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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